Three Major Japanese Brewers Combine to Form Dai-Nippon Beer

In March 1906, Sapporo Beer, Nippon Beer, and Osaka Beer combined to form Dai-Nippon Beer. The new company brought the Sapporo, Yebisu, and Asahi brands under common ownership, with its head office in Tokyo. It began operations on April 1. Kirin remained outside the combination. The merger followed intense competition among Japan’s major brewers and the introduction of beer taxation in 1901. Its organizers sought to reduce rivalry at home, develop overseas markets, and strengthen domestic supplies of ingredients and equipment. Dai-Nippon turned several major industrial breweries into a dominant national brewing organization while retaining their established brands. Its formation marked a different stage from the earlier transfer of European lager techniques to Japan; the postwar breakup would later reshape this concentrated industry.