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Domestic operation |
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Asahi products (including productsof affiliated companies) |
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Overseas operations |
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Affiliated companiesand foundations |
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Awards | |
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1889 |
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Osaka Beer Brewing Company is established. (November) |
1891 |
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The Suita-mura Brewery, now Asahi Breweries’ Suita
Brewery, is completed. (October) |
1892 |
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Asahi Beer is launched. (May) |
1893
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The company is reorganized into Osaka Breweries,
Ltd. (February) |
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Asahi Beer awarded Grand Prix at Chicago World’s
Fair. (October) |
1897 |
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The first Asahi House beer hall opens for business.
(July) |
1900 |
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The company launches Asahi Draft Beer, Japan’s
first bottled draft beer. |
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Asahi Beer awarded Grand Prix at Paris World EXPO. |
1906 |
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Dai Nippon Breweries, Co., Ltd., is jointly established
by Osaka Breweries, Ltd., Japan Beer Brewery, Ltd., and Sapporo
Beer Co. (March) |
1907 |
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Mitsuya Brand “Hirano Champagne Cider” (carbonated
drink) is launched. |
1921 |
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The Hakata Brewery, now Asahi Breweries’ Hakata
Brewery, is completed. (April) |
1927 |
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The Nishinomiya Brewery, now Asahi Breweries’ Nishinomiya
Brewery, is completed. (October) |
1930 |
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EBIOS, a pure brewer’s yeast preparation
tablet, is introduced. (May) |
1935 |
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Asahi Stout is launched. (April) |
1949 |
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Asahi Breweries, Ltd., is established. (September)
Tamesaburo Yamamoto becomes the company first president. Dai Nippon
Breweries, Co., Ltd. is divided into Asahi Breweries, Ltd. and
Nippon Breweries, Ltd., upon enactment of the Economic Decentralization
Act. Headquarters: Tokyo Branch offices: Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima,
Shikoku, and Kyushu Breweries: Azumabashi, Suita, Nishinomiya and
Hakata |
1950 |
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Shin Nippon Glass, later Asahi Beer Pax Co., Ltd.,
is established. (September) In June 2003, it merges with and becomes
Ishizuka Glass Co., Ltd. |
1951 |
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Asahi launches Bireley’s Orange, and the
Wilkinson carbonated drink. (November) |
1954 |
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Asahi invests in Nikka Whisky Distilling Co., Ltd.
(August) |
1957 |
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Asahi’s exclusive Asahi Gold is launched.
(March) |
1958 |
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Asahi introduces Japan’s first canned beer,
under the Asahi label. (September) |
1962 |
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The Tokyo Omori Brewery, later Asahi Breweries’ Tokyo
Brewery, is completed. (May) It is closed in 2002. |
1963 |
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Asahi Bin Nama (bottled draft beer) and Asahi Tokudai
Bin Nama (extra-large bottled draft beer) are launched. (May) |
1964 |
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Asahi Steiny is launched. (March) |
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Through a joint investment, Hokkaido Asahi Breweries
is founded with local capital from Hokkaido. (April) |
1965 |
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Asahi develops the world’s first outdoor
brewing/storage tanks for installation at its breweries in Nishinomiya,
Azumabashi, and Hakata. (March) |
1966 |
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Masayoshi Nakajima takes office as president. (February) |
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The Beer Division factory of Hokkaido Asahi Breweries,
now Asahi Breweries’ Hokkaido Brewery, is completed. (April) |
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The Kashiwa Plant, now Asahi Soft Drinks’ Kashiwa
Plant, is completed. (December) |
1968 |
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Asahi Steiny Black is launched. (January) |
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Asahi receives the first Agricultural Chemistry
Award from the Japan Agricultural Chemistry Association for its “development
and practical application of the outdoor brewing/storage tank.” (April) |
1969 |
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Asahi launches full-fledged sales of Asahi Beer
Honnama (genuine draft beer) with sell-by date indications. (March) |
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Japan’s first beer gift coupons are introduced.
(June) |
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1970 |
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Lactone, a lactic-acid
bacteria preparation, is launched. (September) |
1971 |
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Yoshitaka Takahashi takes
office as president. (February) |
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Asahi introduces Japan’s
first aluminum-canned beer. (June) |
1972 |
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Mitsuya Vending, now
Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd., is established. (March) |
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The Fukushima Brewery
(Carbonated Beverage Division) is completed. (June) |
1976 |
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Yoshitaka Takahashi becomes
chairman, and Naomatsu Enmei takes office as president.
(March) |
1977 |
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Asahi Draft Keg Beer
(7 liter), Japan’s first beer in a small aluminum
keg, is launched. (May) |
1978 |
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The label for Asahi Beer
Honnama (genuine draft beer) is updated. (March) |
1979 |
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The Fukushima Brewery
(Beer Division) is completed. (March) |
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The Asahi Beer Garden,
Ltd., is established. (April) |
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Asahi Draft Mini Keg
Beer (3 liter) is launched. (May) |
1980 |
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The right to the trademark
for Bireley’s is acquired. (November) |
1982 |
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Tsutomu Murai takes office
as president. (March) |
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Asahi signs a collaborative
business agreement with Löwenbräu of Germany.
(November) |
1983 |
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The right to the trademark
for Wilkinson carbonated drink is acquired. (January) |
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Asahi begins the licensed
production and sale of Löwenbräu. (April) |
1984 |
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Chiba Chinese Herb Medicine
Laboratory, now Asahi Food & Healthcare Co., Ltd.,
is established. (September) |
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The Asahi Beer Life & Culture
Research Foundation, now the Asahi Brewery Foundation,
is established. (November) |
1985 |
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Asahi announces its introduction
of Corporate Identity (CI). (October) |
1986 |
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The New Century Plan
is launched. (January) |
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New Asahi Draft Beer
is launched. (February) |
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Tsutomu Murai becomes
chairman, and Hirotaro Higuchi takes office as president.
(March) |
1987 |
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Japan’s first dry
beer, Asahi Super Dry, is launched, becoming a mega-hit
that brings about a revolution in the beer industry. (March) |
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Asashi concludes an agreement
for the cultivation of hops with Haratow Farms, of Germany.
(June) |
1988 |
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Asahi signs a collaborative
business agreement with Bass Exports, of the UK, for the
importation and sale of Bass Pale Ale. (March) |
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A Monument to the Memory
of Our Predecessors is established in Suita, commemorating
the pioneering efforts of Asahi employees and other forerunners
in the beer industry. (April) |
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Asahi acquires majority
stock ownership of Nippon National Seikan Co., Ltd., thus
entering the can-manufacturing business. (April) Later,
Asahi transfers the stocks to Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd. |
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Asahi Beer Winery is
established. (July) |
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Asahi Beer Soft Drink
Manufacturing Co., Ltd., now Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd.,
is founded. (November) |
1989 |
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The corporation is renamed
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. (January) |
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Asahi Beer Arts Foundation
is established. (March) |
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The new corporate headquarters,
including Asahi Beer Tower and Asahi Super Dry Hall, are
completed in Azumabashi, Tokyo. (October) |
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1990 |
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Asahi Beer Soft Drinks
Co., Ltd., now Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd., is established.
(September) |
1991 |
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The Ibaraki Brewery is
completed. (April) |
1992 |
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Asahi Beer Food, Ltd.,
now Asahi Food & Healthcare Co., Ltd., is established.
(March) |
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Hirotaro Higuchi becomes
chairman, and Yuzo Seto takes office as president. (September) |
1993 |
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Asahi receives the Agricultural
Chemistry Technology Award for its development of Asahi
Super Dry. (March) |
1994 |
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Asahi acquires shares
in three beer companies in China—Hangzhou Xihu Beer
Asahi Co., Ltd., Quanzhou Qingyuan Beer Asahi Co., Ltd.
Fujian, and Jiaxing Haiyan Beer Xihu Asahi Co., Ltd—and
signs technical and production licensing agreements with
each of these companies. This marks Asahi’s full-scale
entry into the Chinese beer market. (January) |
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Asahi Beer Pharmaceutical
Co., Ltd., now Asahi Food & Healthcare Co., Ltd., is
established. (March) |
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Asahi Breweries and Hokkaido
Asahi Breweries are consolidated. (July) |
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Asahi Beer is launched
as the first beer jointly developed by Japanese and Chinese
breweries. (September) |
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Molson Breweries begins
the Canadian production of Asahi Super Dry. (September) |
1995 |
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Tokyo’s first microbrewery,
Brewery Pub Sumidagawa, opens. (March) |
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Asahi concludes a comprehensive,
multipurpose collaborative business agreement with Miller
Brewing Company of the U.S. (July) |
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Miller Special is introduced.
(September) |
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Asahi Kuronama (Black
Draft Beer) is launched. (October) |
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Asahi and Itochu Corporation
jointly acquire the management rights for Beijing Beer
Asahi Co., Ltd. and Yantai Beer Asahi Co., Ltd. (December) |
1996 |
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Asahi Beer Oyamazaki
Villa Museum opens. (April) |
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Asahi enters a comprehensive
business alliance with Bass Brewers of the UK. (May) |
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Asahi Beer Soft Drinks
merges with Asahi Beer Soft Drink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.,
and Hokuriku Asahi Beer Soft Drink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.,
and is renamed Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd., going into
operation as a manufacturer and distributor of soft drinks.
(July) |
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Yantai Beer Asahi Co.,
Ltd., launches Asahi Beer. (July) |
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Asahi Breweries’ European
office opens in the UK. (September) |
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Asahi Keg Draft Beer
Kohaku-no-Toki, made especially for restaurants, and Belle-Vue
Kriek are introduced. (December) |
1997 |
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Asahi receives the JMA
Comprehensive Marketing Excellence Award from the Japan
Management Association. (March) |
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Asahi’s China Business
Coordination Department is established in Beijing, China.
(September) |
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Asahi Breweries Research & Development
Center opens. (October) |
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Asahi receives the 1997
Best Advanced Business Award from Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
(October) |
1998 |
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Yantai Beer Asahi Co.,
Ltd., begins local production of Asahi Super Dry in China.
(March) |
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Asahi Super Dry is launched
in Taiwan. (March) |
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Asahi receives the Minister
of International Trade and Industry Award at the 7th Global
Environment Grand Prize ceremony from Japan Industrial
Journal. (April) |
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Asahi Beer U.S.A., Inc.,
is established. (April) |
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Asahi Draft Beer Fujisan
is launched. (April) |
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New Steiny bottle is
proposed. (April) |
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Asahi Beer Europe Ltd.
is established. (May) |
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The Shikoku Brewery is
completed. (June) |
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All eight Asahi production
sites achieve 100-percent waste recycling. (November) |
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Asahi achieves the leading
market share in beer sales in Japan. (December) |
1999 |
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Yuzo Seto becomes chairman,
and Shigeo Fukuchi takes office as president. (January) |
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A state-of-the-art brewery
at Shenzhen Tsingtaobeer Asahi Co., Ltd. begins the production
of Asahi Super Dry. (May) |
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Asahi receives the Grand
Prize for Social Contribution from the Asahi Shimbun Foundation.
(May) |
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Asahi Breweries announces “Asahi
Innovation Program 2000” medium-term management plan.
(September) |
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2000 |
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Asahi launches Asahi Super Malt. (January) |
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Staropramen Brewery begins
local production of Asahi Super Dry in the Czech Republic. |
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The Headquarters and
Research & Development Center are certified under ISO
9001. (August) |
2001 |
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Asahi launches Asahi
Honnama happoshu (low-malt beer). (February) |
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Sales departments of
Asahi and Nikka are merged (April) |
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The Shobara Forestry
Station obtains FSC certification, the international standard
of forestry management. (September) |
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Asahi launches Celiterra,
a refined Chilean wine. (September) |
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The Shobara Forestry
Station obtains FSC certification, the international standard
of forestry management. (September) |
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Asahi claims the No.
1 share in the Japanese beer/happoshu market. (December) |
2002 |
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Shigeo Fukuchi becomes
chairman, and Kouichi Ikeda takes office as president.
(January) |
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Asahi starts producing
Asahi Super Dry locally in Thailand in cooperation with
the Boon Rawd Group (February). Asahi Super Dry goes on
sale in the ASEAN countries (March). |
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The Kanagawa Brewery
is completed. (May) |
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Asahi Beer Food, Ltd.,
and Asahi Beer Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., merge to form
Asahi Food & Healthcare Co., Ltd. (July) |
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Asahi acquires the Japanese
sales rights to Tsingtaobeer, the No. 1 beer in China.
(August) |
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Asahi enters a comprehensive
business alliance with Orion Beer Co., Ltd. (August) The
companies launch Asahi Orion Draft. (November) |
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Asahi debuts a new total
alcoholic beverage business structure by acquiring sales
rights to brands of Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd., and Asahi
Kasei Corporation, and by entering into a strategic sales
alliance with Maxxium Japan K.K. (September) |
2003 |
|
Asahi launches Asahi
Sparks happoshu (low-malt beer). (February) |
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Asahi launches Asahi
Honnama Aqua Blue happoshu (low-malt beer). (July) |
| |
Orion Beer Co., Ltd.,
begins the licensed production and sale of Asahi Super
Dry and Asahi Sparks. |
2004 |
|
Asahi Brewery announces
the agreement for establishment of Tingyi-Asahi-Itochu
Beverages Holding Co., Ltd., jointly with Tingyi (Cayman
Islands) Holding Company, the largest Chinese packaged
food and beverage company. (January) |
| |
Asahi announces its Second
Group Medium-Term Management Plan. (March) |
| |
Asahi launches Asahi
Premium Draft Beer Jukusen. (March) |
| |
Asahi launches Asahi
Honnama Off Time happoshu (low-malt beer). (March) |
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Asahi launches Asahi
Dry Cooler, a low-alcohol beverage. (May) |
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New Beijing Beer Brewery
is completed. New Beijing Beer is launched. |
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Asahi acquires the Japanese sales rights of renowned Italian sparkling wine producer F.lli Gancia& C. S.p.a. (June) |
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Asahi raises its stake in South Korea’s Haitai Beverage Co., Ltd., making it a consolidated subsidiary. (July) |
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Asahi reorganizes the CSR Committee into the Group CSR Committee to provide stronger structural guidance. (September) |
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Asahi invests in the alcoholic beverages sales company of South Korea’s Lotte Group to establish Lotte Asahi Liquor Co., Ltd. (November) |
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Asahi receives the IR Award for Excellence from the Japan Investor Relations Association. (December) |
2005 |
|
Asahi launches the black tea-flavored alcoholic beverage Fauchon Kaori Black Tea Liquor, jointly developed with France’s Fauchon, Inc. (February) |
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Asahi launches Asahi Honnama Gold happoshu (low-malt beer). (February) |
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Asahi establishes the Fund for the Prevention of Underage Drinking. (March) |
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Asahi acquires the entire stock of the health foods sales company, Sanwell Co., Ltd. (March) |
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Asahi enters the new genre (no malt beer) market (April) and launches Asahi Shinnama 3 (Brewed liquor (1)) . (November) |
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The Annex Building, a new space for enjoying alcoholic beverages and food, has its grand opening. (May) |
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Shobara Forestry Station obtains CoC certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). (July) |
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Asahi acquires the stock of chilled beverage maker LB Co., Ltd. (Saitama) (May) and LB Co., Ltd. (Nagoya). (September) |
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Shepherd Neame Ltd. begins production of Asahi Super Dry in the UK. (September) |
2006 |
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Kouichi Ikeda becomes chairman, and Hitoshi Ogita takes office as president. (March) |
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