日本語 | English

■ We are featuring Stationery from Feb. 29 to Mar. 30.







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■ Indivisual beer, not from mass-producing.

A: I think it tends to be going like that all over the earth. From the age of mass production, it is moving to time of the handmade. There are about 2,500 local breweries in America and you know our import volume of their beers is on the increase. American craft beers have looked at Asia, including Japan, as their target.


■ Japanese micro breweries have changed because of the wave?

A: Ah... well, they all study but the trade is still immature. There are few groups for lobbying or something. Major companies naturally have a clear advantage over others when all Japanese breweries, micro and major, have to go on the same road. 2000 kl ( production quantity ) is a yardstick and the below's beers seldom get to usual stores in Japan. Speaking of our local beer, the usual can see Ginga Kogen Beers and Yonayona Ales at the common supermarkets.


■ They cannot finally get over capitalism...?

A: There is the tariff quota system on importing the ingredients. Majors apply and can make duty-free importation. Micros are unable. So they cannot create their indivisual microbrews without paying high customs.




■ Then, it is logically their beers have to be more high-priced than major beers at the stores, you say.

A: Yes. I take it for granted that micro breweries can't survive in Japan. That's why I say the trade is very immature. They need to make true revolution here. Talking about the ingredients of beer, there is only an importer in Japan.


■ Just one! It is rightly monopolization, isn't it?

A: There is naturally no rivalry. They must obey the one importer here. Trying to make a delicious microbrew without the import trader, micro breweries have to import privately. And high customs and shipping charges are waiting for them. That is our field.


■ What you say seems so faraway from development...

A: Well, when the consumption increases about three times as much as the recent volume, the market would spread more. And the traders will increase, won't they? Then, we will see a sake shop specializing in Japanese local beer appear... but it remains the same and it is all they can do to keep a corner of a local exhibition, ha-ha.


■ Like Ginga Kogen Beer, there is a few examples of survival. Why do you think they could have made it?

A: I reckon their efforts let it happen, needless to say. And as mentioned before, I think there is the current of time. From the age of mass production, it is moving to time of the handmade all over the world, I said. Those movements have changed purchase clerks at the stores. Advanced nations can't be without the natural actions as that.


■ I see. Sir, how do you guess about future local beer in Japan?