Nonalcoholic Beverages Gain Popularity amid Epidemic

Tokyo, May 24 (Jiji Press)--Nonalcoholic beverages that taste like beer or "chuhai" spirits and soda products are becoming more popular in Japan, reflecting consumer behavior altered by the novel coronavirus epidemic. The spread of the virus has led more consumers to choose health-conscious products. In addition, many people drink nonalcoholic beverages for a change of pace during teleworking or household chores, industry sources said. Eateries and bars are offering such products because serving alcoholic beverages is restricted in areas under the current coronavirus state of emergency, including Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture. At Suntory Beer Ltd., sales of its All-Free nonalcoholic beer series for January-April rose 9 pct in volume year on year. The Karada wo Omou All-Free product, billed as effective in helping reduce visceral fat, logged a 40 pct jump. Kirin Brewery Co.'s Karada Free nonalcoholic beer, considered helpful to reduce belly fat, has seen year-on-year sales growth of 50 pct. At Asahi Breweries Ltd., the Dry Zero nonalcoholic beer and the Style Balance sour-like nonalcoholic beverages are flourishing. The pace of year-on-year sales growth for the products accelerated to 40 pct in 2020 from 10 pct in 2019 before the coronavirus reached Japan. "Demand from households is rising as people's lifestyles have changed," an Asahi Breweries official said. Demand from restaurants and bars is also on the rise. Sales volume for Sapporo Breweries Ltd.'s Premium Alcohol Free nonalcoholic beer in April this year recovered to around the April 2019 level. "We're receiving more inquiries from eating and drinking establishments that have become unable to serve alcoholic beverages," a Sapporo Breweries Ltd. official said. Conveyor-belt sushi chain Kura Sushi Inc. <2695>, suspending alcoholic drink sales in areas under the state of emergency, is offering nonalcoholic beer products at discount prices. <2503> <2502> <2501> END