Tokyo, Oct. 9 (Jiji Press)–Top management officials of some of the four major beer makers suspected of a price cartel are believed to have been informed of details of shipping price hikes negotiated among the companies, informed sources told Jiji Press on Friday. The Japan Fair Trade Commission is investigating whether these top officials recognized that the information was a result of negotiations. According to the sources, some officials of the companies–Asahi Breweries Ltd., Kirin Brewery Co., Sapporo Breweries Ltd., and Suntory Holdings Ltd.–have admitted to the cartel during the commission’s investigation. Officials from the companies are believed to have held unofficial talks after industry group meetings to exchange information on the timing and scale of shipping price increases and compile price tables. On Wednesday, the commission conducted compulsory inspections of the headquarters of the four companies. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
