Kirin Brewery Company, Limited

Minato, Tokyo, Japan

Kirin Brewery Company, Limited is a Japanese company that produces and sells a wide range of alcoholic and non‐alcoholic beverages, including beer and soft drinks. With a rich heritage in brewing and beverage innovation, the company has played a significant role in Japan’s beverage industry and maintains a strong presence in both domestic and international markets.

CCI Score

41.65

-0.02% April 18

Latest Event

Kirin withdraws from Myanmar military-linked joint venture

Kirin Brewery Company, Limited announced its decision to withdraw from its joint venture in Myanmar with a military-linked partner amid severe ethical and human rights concerns following the military coup. This move represents a step away from complicity in authoritarian practices by severing ties with a junta-affiliated entity.

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DISSENTER

Kirin Brewery Company, Limited is currently rated as a Dissenter.

+25 to +44 CCI Score

These companies are vocal in their opposition to authoritarian regimes. They publicly criticize oppressive policies and engage in advocacy efforts to promote accountability and transparency, even if their actions aren’t as extensive as those of Moral Leaders.

Latest Events

FEB

14

2022

Kirin withdraws from Myanmar military-linked joint venture
58.23

Kirin Brewery Company, Limited announced its decision to withdraw from its joint venture in Myanmar with a military-linked partner amid severe ethical and human rights concerns following the military coup. This move represents a step away from complicity in authoritarian practices by severing ties with a junta-affiliated entity.
+80

Supply Chain Ethics

March 20

Kirin's decision to exit its joint venture in Myanmar, which was connected to a military-linked company, addresses serious human rights concerns. By prioritizing the termination of this partnership, Kirin actively distances itself from regimes that uphold authoritarian practices. This action improves its ethical responsibility on supply chain practices and reduces its indirect financial support for military repression.
FEB

14

2022

Withdrawal from Repressive Economic Collaboration in Myanmar
50.95

Kirin Holdings' decision to exit its joint ventures with military-owned MEHL in Myanmar reduces its complicity in funding a repressive regime. The move, announced on February 14, 2022, comes after extensive criticism and public pressure, reflecting a corrective action though somewhat reactive rather than proactively ethical.
+70

Economic Collaboration

March 20

Kirin Holdings' withdrawal from its joint ventures with Myanmar Economic Holdings Public Company Limited (MEHL) is a significant corrective measure to sever financial ties with a military-owned entity associated with human rights abuses. Although the prior association contributed indirectly to funding a repressive regime, this decisive move in response to human rights criticisms and a boycott underscores a commitment to ethical business practices. However, the reactive nature of the decision suggests room for a more proactive stance in the future.

Japan Beverage Giant to Withdraw from Myanmar
FEB

14

2022

Kirin Brewery withdraws from Myanmar joint venture
56.20

Kirin Brewery Company, Limited has announced its decision to withdraw from its joint venture partnership in Myanmar with military-linked MEHPCL following the coup, citing urgent human rights concerns and a refusal to be complicit in supporting a repressive regime.
+75

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 20

Kirin's decision to exit the joint venture in Myanmar demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices by distancing itself from a military-linked partner associated with human rights abuses. This move signals a clear stance against complicity in authoritarian regimes, aligning with responsible business conduct.

Japan's Kirin brewery to withdraw from Myanmar
+80

Economic and Structural Influence

March 20

By initiating the withdrawal process from its joint venture with a military-linked firm in Myanmar, Kirin mitigates its economic collaboration with an entity tied to authoritarian practices. This move reduces its structural economic influence in propping up repressive regimes and is viewed positively from an anti-authoritarian perspective.

Japan's Kirin brewery to withdraw from Myanmar
DEC

06

2021

Kirin Terminates Joint Venture in Myanmar Over Human Rights Concerns
53.95

Kirin Holdings filed for arbitration to terminate its joint venture with MEHPCL in Myanmar, a partner involved in managing welfare funds for the military. The decision, made amidst human rights concerns and political instability, highlights the company's commitment to distancing itself from economic relationships that support authoritarian practices.
+80

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 20

Kirin's decisive move to terminate its joint venture with a partner linked to the military underscores its commitment to human rights and ethical business practices. By rejecting a relationship that indirectly fuels military power, the company demonstrates responsible business ethics and a proactive stance against complicity in authoritarian regimes.

Kirin releases statement on arbitration to terminate joint ventures in Myanmar
+70

Economic and Structural Influence

March 20

The arbitration filing to dissolve the joint venture with MEHPCL reduces Kirin's economic collaboration with entities that support authoritarian regimes. This action minimizes the risk of inadvertently bolstering military-led governance and demonstrates a proactive effort to align economic practices with human rights standards.

Kirin releases statement on arbitration to terminate joint ventures in Myanmar
FEB

05

2021

Kirin cuts ties with Myanmar military-linked breweries
66.67

Kirin Brewery Company, Limited announced it is severing its joint venture with Myanmar breweries linked to the military amid a coup and severe human rights allegations. This decision marks a significant step towards ethical business practices and reducing complicity in authoritarian regimes.
FEB

05

2021

Kirin Severs Ties with Myanmar Military-Linked Brewery
47.45

Kirin Brewery Company, Limited announced the termination of its joint-venture partnership with Myanmar Economic Holdings, a move prompted by the military coup and subsequent human rights abuses by Myanmar's military regime. This decision reflects the company's shift towards ethical business practices by distancing itself from economic collaborations that inadvertently finance authoritarian rule.
+70

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 20

Kirin's decision to cut ties with a military-linked partner in Myanmar demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices and human rights. By terminating its joint venture with a partner implicated in funding the military responsible for grave human rights abuses, Kirin is aligning its operations with principles that reject complicity in authoritarian regimes. This move positively impacts its Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility rating.

Kirin beer company cuts brewery ties with Myanmar military over coup
+75

Economic and Structural Influence

March 20

By severing economic ties with a partner that provided financial legitimacy to an authoritarian regime, Kirin reduces its role in economic collaboration with abusive military structures. This decisive move not only distances the company from complicity in funding oppressive practices but also sets a precedent for other multinationals to re-examine their economic engagements in politically unstable regions.

Kirin beer company cuts brewery ties with Myanmar military over coup
JUN

18

2020

Myanmar: Kirin Should Cut Ties to Military
-41.92

Human Rights Watch has called on Kirin Brewery Company, Limited to sever its business ties with military-linked conglomerate Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd., citing the company's financial contributions and partnerships that may be indirectly funding the Tatmadaw, which has committed widespread human rights abuses in Myanmar.
-60

Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts

March 20

Kirin’s subsidiary has made donations to the Myanmar military amidst ongoing human rights violations, thereby indirectly supporting an authoritarian regime. This financial support, though possibly limited in scope, contributes to the militarization and repression in the region.

Myanmar: Kirin Should Cut Ties to Military
-80

Economic Collaboration

March 20

Kirin’s ongoing joint ventures with military-owned firms in Myanmar, including majority stakes in local breweries, directly channel funds that enhance the financial capacity of a regime responsible for systematic atrocities. Maintaining these partnerships, despite evidence of abuse, demonstrates a deep economic collaboration with authoritarian structures.

Myanmar: Kirin Should Cut Ties to Military