Beer too cheap?

Taking a break from pedantic political commentary, today's article is a shot across the bow of those who would seek to deliver beer to the Japanese masses at cheaper prices. I'm not one to judge on how cheap said beer is from my vantage point this side of the Pacific but part of me is rooting for the guy with his can of Asahi Super Dry sitting on the street corner outside of Aeon, worrying whether or not he'll be able to afford a whole six-pack of his favorite brew next week or just 4, with the minuscule affluence his wife gives him for beer each week. Enjoy! 公取委の協力要請あっ ても、ビール仕入れ価 格引き上げには応じず ＝イオン<8267.T> 2012年07月23日19:24 JST ［東京 ２３日 ロイター］ 酒卸大手３社が 原価割れでビール類を卸売りしていたとされる問題 でイオンは２３日、公正取引委員会からの協力要請 があったとしても、仕入れ価格の値上げに応じる意 向はないとの見解を示した。 横尾博専務執行役は会見で「原価を下回る価格で の納入を要請した事実はない」と述べた。仕入れ価 格は、卸売３社と十分に協議し、合意した条件で 取引しており、一方的に取引条件を決めているもの ではないという。公正取引委員会からも、独占禁止 法違反（優越的地位の濫用）の疑いがあるのではな いかとして調査を受けたものの、その事実は認めら れないとの判断を受けているという。 このため、公正取引委員会から仕入れ価格を適正 な価格とするよう、事実上の値上げ要請があったと しても「取引条件を変更し、仕入れ価格の値上げに 応じる意向はない」との姿勢を示した。 公正取引委員会に対しても、こうした見解を伝え ている。現時点で、公取委からの協力要請は口頭で 伝えられたものの、文書では受け取っていないとい う。 複数の報道によると、伊藤忠食品、三菱食品、日 本酒類販売の３社がイオンに仕入れ値を下回る価格 で卸した疑いがあるとして、公正取引委員会は独 占禁止法違反（不当廉売）で警告する方針を固め た。また、イオンとビール４社に対しても、適正な 価格で取引するように協力要請を行うと報じられ た。 http://jp.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idJPTK085548420120723 Aeon won’t raise the purchase price of beer, even with a request for cooperation from the Fair Trade Commission Aeon, who has been accused by the largest three alcohol wholesalers of selling beer below the wholesale price, indicated it had no intention of raising the purchase price of beer, even though it had received a request for cooperation from the Fair Trade Commission. Senior managing executive officer Hiroshi Yoko stated in an interview that “A price below the cost of supply was never requested.” He maintained that the purchase price of beer was sufficiently discussed with the 3 wholesalers and transaction terms were agreed upon and were not decided unilaterally. Responding to a notice from the Fair Trade Commission of an investigation into whether or not an anti-monopoly law violation (abuse of dominant market position) had been committed, Aeon denied any wrongdoing. Even if the Fair Trade Commission requests a price increase on the basis of establishing a fair purchase price, “We have no intention of changing transaction terms or increasing our purchase price.” Aeon conveyed this sentiment to the Fair Trade Commission. At present, the FTC has delivered a verbal request for cooperation, but no written request has been received by Aeon. According to several news outlets, Itochu Shokuhin, Mitsubishi Foods, and Japan Alcohol Sales accused Aeon of selling beer below wholesale price and the Fair Trade Commission delivered a warning of an anti-monopoly law violation (dumping). Also, it is reported that Aeon and 4 beer makers received a request for cooperation to conduct transactions at fair prices.