

During the late 19th century (the start of the Japanese Meiji period) brewers from Germany arrived.Major makers are Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory while small local breweries supply distinct tasting beers. Lager beers are most common but beers made with lower grain contents called "Happoushu" (low malt beer, literally "bubbly alcohol") have captured a large part of the market as tax is lower on these products.
(NHK World)