Tokyo, July 28 - Nomura Holdings Inc and Goldman Sachs will advise Japanese brewer Suntory Holdings Ltd on its merger negotiations with Kirin Holdings Co, four people familiar with the matter said.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group's brokerage unit and Morgan Stanley will advise Kirin on the talks, the people said, asking not to be identified because the appointments have not been made public.
Such a merger would create one of the world's largest beverage and food firms.
Representatives of Suntory and Kirin declined to comment.
Both Suntory and Kirin officials said earlier this month that the two companies were in talks on possibly integrating their operation, which include production of soft drinks, wine and food.
The merger would put Kirin and unlisted Suntory on par in revenue terms with U.S.-based Kraft Foods and Pepsico Inc, and give the two more pricing power in Japan's mature market.