South Korean imports of beer from Japan plunged 97 percent in August from a year earlier, a local newspaper reported, amid a popular backlash against Japanese products that has spread as relations between the two countries sour.
Japanese automakers also posted sharper sales falls in South Korea last month, industry data showed Wednesday, hit by a consumer boycott of Japanese vehicles.
South Korea imported just $223,000 worth of Japanese beer in the month, down from $7.57 million a year earlier, the Maeil Business Newspaper said, citing preliminary data from Korea Customs Service. Japan has held the largest share of South Korean beer imports every year since 2010, with sales surging more than sixfold by 2018 to $78.3 million.