A can of beer costs Y207 ($1.88) for 350-milliliters.

The price is going up in Japan by 3-5% next year, March 1st.

Japan's biggest brewery, Asahi Breweries made the announcement yesterday.

Reason - higher oil prices.

Uh, no!

Higher raw material costs.

Asahi has not raised its prices in more 18 years, except for liquor tax increases.

Higher costs for:

1. imported malt

2. packaging materials such as aluminum cans and cardboard

are to blame.

Kirin announced a price increase last month that will take effect on February 1st.

It won't matter much. People will still be drunk and stupid.

How much does beer need to cost before you stop buying?

source