is the fifth-largest beer brewery in Japan, headquartered in Tomigusuku, Okinawa Prefecture. The company commands approximately 1% of the Japanese beer market, and 60% of the Okinawan beer market.
History Founded in 1957 in Nago, Okinawa, during the US occupation of Okinawa, Orion began making beer in 1959. Orion struggled to compete with the other major Japanese breweries, but after changing from a German-style beer to an American-style beer, it gained the top share in the Okinawan market. Up until 2002, it had a market that was limited mostly to Okinawa. Since 2002, Orion partnered with Asahi Breweries to manufacture Asahi beers in Okinawa, in return for Asahi's assistance in selling Orion beer outside of Okinawa. Asahi owns 10% of Orion Breweries.Nomura and Carlyle to acquire Okinawa's Orion Breweries, Nikkei.com, 18 January 2019
In January 2019, Nomura Holdings and The Carlyle Group entered talks to acquire Orion Breweries and help the beer brand expand in the US and Asia.Natalie Wang, Nomura Holding and Carlyle to acquire Japan’s Orion Breweries, Thedrinksbusiness.com, 1 February 2019 On May 14, 2019, Orion entered the chūhai market with the release of the WATTA chūhai brand, using traditional Okinawan flavors. In July 2019, Keiju Hayase was appointed president and CEO of Orion Breweries.Hayase Becomes Orion Breweries President , Nippon.com, 22 July 2019
In 2020, Orion Breweries stopped the production and distribution of its 9% ABV beer, Watta Strong, in a move to fight alcoholism, the first major brewery in Japan to make a move in this direction.Yuta Hiratsuka, Japan brewer withdraws range of strong alcoholic drinks dubbed destructive by expert, Mainichi.jp, 22 June 2020Eriko Tamaki, Orion to cease production of 9% alcohol by volume “Watta Strong” chuhai due to health concerns, Ryukyushimpo.jp, 23 April 2020
Keiju Hayase stepped down as president and CEO of Orion Breweries in June 2021 for personal reasons. Hajime Murano was appointed in his place in December 2021.
Orion Breweries became a public company in September 2025 through an initial public offering on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Description Orion uses water that comes from springs out of the mountain near the brewery. The brewery imports its malt from Germany, and uses German Hallertau and Czech Saaz hops.Okinawa’s Orion: A chance to sample “The Beer of Beers”, Stripes.com, 27 November 2005 The brand is known by the US military personnel stationed in Okinawa. The company's sales outside of Japan make up 5% of its sales.Ou Ninouma, Okinawa's most popular beer taps military ties to US, Nikkei.com, 19 January 2019 In 2017, Orion Breweries recorded sales of 28.3 billion yen.
In South Korea, Orion beer is marketed under the brand name Okinawa.Choi Moon-hee, Boycott of Japanese Products Causes Woes for Distributors, Businesskorea.co.kr, 26 July 2019
Orion beer sponsors the Okinawan wrestler Menso-re Oyaji. Akihito Yagi, 8th Dan in Meibukan Goju Ryu Karate-do, which his late grandfather (Meitoku Yagi) created, and the current chairman of the International Meibukan Goju Ryu Karate Association (IMGKA), is a spokesman for Orion beer.
Products Draft beer 75 Beer Premium Series Pilsner 75 Beer Premium Series IPA 75 Beer Craft Lager 75 Beer Weizen
In popular culture In one episode of Wakakozake, the main character Wakako tries out different restaurants to pair foods with drinks, and pairs goya chanpuru with Orion beer.Vanessa Rose, 10 Food-Based Anime That Feature Real-Life Brands, Cbr.com, 7 May 2021
References
External links
Orion official site Orion official site