Japan's Beer, Happoshu Sales Gain 0.6%

TOKYO - May 15/02 - SNS -- Sales of beer and the low-alcohol substitute happoshu recorded the smallest year over year increase in recent months during April, according to data complied by the country's big five breweries.

Sales managed only a 0.6% increase from year earlier levels to a combined 601,685 kiloliters. The trend toward increased sales of happoshu, which is taxed at a lower level than beer and therefore less expensive at retail, remained intact during the month.

Shipments of happoshu jumped 16% to 219,705 kl, while beer shipments sank another 6.5% to 381,980 kl.

Asahi Breweries Ltd was the only brewer to provide monthly sales figures, and it said its shipments of beer dropped 2.9% in April, while its happoshu sales bucked the industry trend by plunging 22% during April. Its March shipments were unusually large because of strong promotional campaigns.