Burma Campaign UK is today launching a new boycott campaign against Kirin Ichiban lager. Japanese conglomerate Kirin is in two joint venture brewery businesses with the Burmese military.
Kirin is a Japanese company making alcoholic and soft drinks, food and pharmaceuticals.
The Burmese military stands accused of genocide in a case at the International Court of Justice, and is being investigated for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.
One of Kirin’s joint ventures with the military is Myanmar Brewery, which makes the best selling beer in Burma, Myanmar Beer. The other is Mandalay Brewery. These two joint ventures earn the Burmese military tens of millions of dollars in revenue every year.
Kirin Ichiban is Kirin’s leading lager in the UK, available in most supermarkets and many bars and pubs.
“Kirin’s joint ventures with the Burmese military means it is helping to fund genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “Kirin are partners with a military whose soldiers rape children and throw babies into burning homes. Doing any form of business with the military is unacceptable.”
Burma Campaign UK is calling for people to boycott Kirin Ichiban, and to use our website to email Kirin and let them know they are joining the boycott. The boycott action page is here.
The new boycott campaign includes hard-hitting new posters, available here.
Notes to editors:
Information on the Kirin boycott in the USA is available here.
Kirin entry on the Burma Campaign UK ‘Dirty List’ is available here.