This company profile of Kirin reveals the unethical practices of one of the world’s largest alcohol producers. It provides examples of harmful methods across the categories of political interference, promotion, sabotage, manipulation, and deception – the Dubious 5 strategies.
Introduction
Kirin is a Japanese alcohol industry company group consisting of 178 companies, out of which Kirin Brewery is the largest one. Kirin also owns Lion (Australia) part of San Miguel Brewery (Philippines), the Yo-Ho Brewing company (Japan) and Four Roses Burbon (USA). Based on revenue, Kirin is the 7th largest alcohol producer in the world.
The president and CEO, Yoshinori Isozaki, joined Kirin in 1977. He has also served as director at the San Miguel Corporation.
Fast Facts about Kirin
- Total revenue: YEN 1,989.5 billion (USD 13.3 billion)
- Total volume of beer sold (Kirin Brewery only): 20 million hl
- Operating profit: YEN 191.2 billion(USD 1.3 billion)
- Japan Beer Market share: 30.3%
Kirin involvement in front groups:
- International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD)
- DrinkWise (through Lion)
UNETHICAL PRACTICES by Kirin
Australia Raises Alcohol Excise Taxes
Australia has raised its alcohol excise taxes by 4% bringing the price of a pint of beer to $15. Currently, Australia increases excise ...
Japanese Alcohol Industry Plans to Change Alcohol Content Labeling
Japanese alcohol companies have agreed with the government to implement new voluntary alcohol labeling measures, including net alcohol ...
People in Myanmar Boycott Alcohol Giant Kirin Over Ties to Military Junta
The people of Myanmar have been boycotting Myanmar Beer over its support for the military regime. Myanmar Beer is made by Myanmar Brewery ...
Promotion, Sabotage Kindergarten Teacher Takes on Big Alcohol Giant Diageo Over Harmful Advertising Practices in New Zealand
When Laurie Forde, a student, and part-time kindergarten teacher in New Zealand kept seeing the “100 days, 100 ways” alcohol ...
Communities Prevent Worsening of Alcohol Taxation in Australia
A proposed 50% tax cut on draught beer pushed by the alcohol industry lobby received heavy media coverage before the Australian Federal ...
++ Update: Carlsberg Maintains ‘Business As Usual’ in Russia ++ Why Beer Giant Carlsberg Stays Tied to Putin’s Regime As Other Multinationals Exit
++ Carlsberg maintains business as usual in Russia, as many other multinational corporations cut to ties to Putin’s regime ++ ++ ...
BROWSE MORE UNETHICAL PRACTICES by Kirin
BIG ALCOHOL IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Whisky brands are very reliant on a small number of heavy, and increasingly ageing, consumers, to provide the majority of volume [...] in the longer term we had to attract more younger drinkers—the heavy- using loyalists of tomorrow [to avoid] the potentially disastrous implications of losing heavy drinkers”.
“If Miller Lite was to be a large profitable brand we had to attract these young heavy drinkers”.
To the extent [that laws or regulations or actions against us to substantially curtail the consumption of alcohol, including beer] gain traction, they could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. For example, the European Union published its Europe Beating Cancer Plan. As part of the plan, by the end of 2023, the European Union has indicated it will issue a proposal for mandatory health warnings on alcohol beverage product labels."
Source: Molson Coors Annual Report 2022
