Origins & Early Brewing (1885–1906)
1885
Japan Brewery Company is founded in Yokohama, Japan, establishing the roots of what will become Kirin.
1888
The company begins selling beer under the “Kirin” brand, helping build early nationwide recognition.
1907
Japan Brewery Company changes its name to Kirin Brewery Company, formalizing the “Kirin” identity at the corporate level.
Pre-war and Post-war Development (1907–1959)
1907–1945
Kirin expands brewing operations and strengthens its position in the Japanese beer market amid major social and economic shifts.
1945–1959
Post-war recovery and modernization of production and distribution support renewed growth in Japan’s beverage market.
Scale-up through disruption, then modernization-driven recovery.
High-growth Era & Diversification Foundations (1960s–1980s)
1960s–1970s
Kirin scales production and distribution during Japan’s rapid economic growth, reinforcing its status as a leading brewer.
1980s
The company advances diversification efforts beyond beer, laying groundwork for a broader beverage-and-food portfolio.
Structural Change & Expanding Business Scope (1990s–2006)
1990s
Kirin continues portfolio expansion into non-beer beverages and food-related businesses as consumer demand diversifies.
Early 2000s
Further organizational and strategic moves prepare the group for a holding-company structure and more active overseas expansion.
Transition to Holding Company & Globalization (2007–2014)
2007
Kirin Brewery Company adopts a holding-company structure, and Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is established to oversee the group’s broader beverage, food, and related businesses.
2007–2014
Kirin accelerates international expansion and strengthens non-alcohol beverage and food operations to complement its alcoholic beverage base.
Portfolio Optimization & Health-focused Growth (2015–2019)
2015–2019
The group emphasizes business portfolio optimization, reinforcing core beverage categories while expanding into health-related and functional domains.
Continued development of food and health-science adjacent initiatives supports the company’s positioning as a leading beverage and food group.
Recent Strategy & Resilience (2020–Present)
2020–2022
Kirin navigates changing consumption patterns and supply-chain pressures, maintaining focus on core brands and operational resilience.
2023–Present
Ongoing emphasis on sustainable growth across alcoholic beverages, non-alcohol beverages, and food, aligned with evolving consumer preferences and health-oriented value creation.