Three of Japan's four largest breweries have reported strong earnings for the first six months of 2004 despite a continued fall in beer sales.
The breweries said cost-cutting, nonalcohol businesses and a new beerlike drink helped overcome a steep drop in "happoshu" sales hit by a tax increase.
Kirin Brewery Co., the country's largest in terms of sales, said Tuesday its net profit was up 2 percent to 14.23 billion yen, and revenue rose 3.6 percent to 759.45 billion yen.