ビール大手4社に強制調査、価格カルテルの疑い

Welcome to Japanese Daily News. I'm Maya. Today is October eighth. Tonight: Japan's four biggest beer makers are raided over suspected price-fixing. Let's listen.

Now let's break it down.

On the seventh, the Fair Trade Commission launched a compulsory investigation into major beer makers.

It means a compulsory investigation, like a raid with a warrant.

The four companies investigated are Asahi, Kirin, Suntory, and Sapporo.

It means investigation.

They are suspected of deciding the shipping prices of beer and low-malt beer together.

It means shipping goods out to stores.

This kind of agreement is called a cartel, and it is banned by the antimonopoly law.

It means prohibition, or being banned.

The four are believed to have discussed how much and when to raise prices.

It means a price increase.

The talks reportedly took place at meetings of an industry group the four belong to.

It means industry.

In recent years, all four raised prices on the same day.

It means all together, in unison.

For example, in October twenty twenty-two, they raised prices for the first time in fourteen years.

It means for the first time in a certain amount of time.

The four companies' beer makes up more than ninety percent of domestic sales.

It means to make up, or to account for.

The beer market is worth more than one trillion yen a year.

It means market.

The commission is also considering a criminal complaint.

It means a criminal complaint filed with prosecutors.

If beer prices go up, it affects our daily lives, so people are watching where the investigation goes.

It means influence, or effect.

It means attention.

Now listen to the full story again.

Quiz time. Listen and answer.

The Fair Trade Commission.

Four companies.

The shipping prices of beer and low-malt beer.

The first in fourteen years.

More than ninety percent.

That's all for tonight. Thanks for listening. See you next time.