Japan: Major beer makers report sales increase in February

Japan's major beer makers say their sales increased year-on-year in February, as more people are drinking at home due to the coronavirus outbreak, NHK reported on March 16.

Kirin Brewery says sales of beer and beer-like beverages rose 3 percent in February. Sapporo reported an increase of 2 percent. Asahi says its sales value rose by 4 percent.

The breweries say beer sales have fallen at restaurants and bars, but sales of canned beer have been boosted by more people drinking at home.

A shopper at a Tokyo supermarket says she now drinks more at home as she is afraid of eating outside.

Major beer companies say they will focus on selling canned beer for the time being as a further decline in sales is expected for restaurants and bars.

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