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August 25, 2006


Kirin Licensing Agreement with Anheuser-Busch in USA market
Tokyo, August 25, 2006—Kirin Brewery Company, Limited ("Kirin") and Anheuser-Busch Inc. (Anheuser-Busch) today signed a licensing agreement for the North American market. Kirin brand products for the North American market are currently manufactured under license by the Los Angeles factory of Anheuser-Busch and sold through Kirin Brewery of America LLC (KBA). By the end of 2006 Kirin plans to outsource the entire process from production through to sales to Anheuser-Busch. The North American market for foreign brand beers is growing strongly and through this licensing agreement Kirin aims to utilize Anheuser-Busch's sales network to expand sales of Kirin brand products.

In the mature North American beer market, foreign brands are recognized as a growth category and have achieved a market share of around 12%. From 2006, Anheuser-Busch has created a specialist sales organization focused on foreign beer brands and has rapidly acquired sales licenses for well-known foreign brand beers. Kirin's leading beer brand, KIRIN ICHIBAN (Ichiban Shibori in Japan), has been expanding its sales, particularly to Japanese and Asian restaurants and supermarkets, and in the first half of 2006 grew by 9% in North America. Through today's agreement Kirin aims to develop new markets for its products in North America by leveraging the powerful sales organization of Anheuser-Busch, North America's largest brewer. KBA will continue to provide sales promotion support for the Japan-related market and looking ahead will strengthen its collaboration with Anheuser-Busch.

In a consolidating global beer industry the Kirin Group is strengthening its business base focused on the Asia/Oceania region and is targeting increased profitability. Based on enhanced Group synergies Kirin is actively developing its business and pursuing new business alliances.

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Outline of Anheuser-Busch
1. Company name Anheuser-Busch Inc.
2. Representative August Busch IV
3. Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
4. Main business Manufacture and sale of beer, etc.

Outline of Kirin Brewery of America
1. Company name Kirin Brewery of America LLC
2. Representative Kazuhiro Tsukahara
3. Headquarters Torrance, California, U.S.A.
4. Ownership Kirin: 100%
5. Main business Supervision of the manufacture and sale of Kirin beer in the U.S.A.

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