Tokyo, June 13 - Asahi Breweries Ltd said on Friday it aims to increase its overseas revenue to 200 billion yen ($1.86 billion) within five years, up from 55.4 billion yen in calendar 2007. "We would like to raise our overseas sales to 200 billion yen, and we should not take five or 10 years to achieve that," said Asahi president Hitoshi Ogita in an interview with Reuters.
The maker of "Super Dry" beer is the leader in Japan's beer market with a 37.9 percent share in 2007, but its group revenue and profits trail those of rival Kirin Holdings Co Ltd, which has stayed ahead in diversifying amid declining alcohol consumption in Japan.
In 2007, domestic beer sales accounted for 60 percent of Asahi's overall sales and overseas revenue stood at 4 percent. Figures for Kirin were 43.6 and 15.8 respectively. ($1=107.71 Yen)