Page "Beer in Japan" Paragraph 48

In 1994, Japan's strict tax laws were relaxed allowing smaller breweries producing 60, 000 litres ( 15, 850 gal ) per year.

Before this change, breweries could not get a license without producing at least 2 million litres ( 528, 000 gal ) per year.

As a result, a number of smaller breweries have been established throughout Japan.

Although it is technically illegal to produce beverages containing more than 1 % alcohol without a license, the law is rarely adhered to for homebrewers and homebrewing supplies are available from high street store Tokyu Hands and various websites.