Japan: Asahi Breweries Ltd said on October 21 it will buy a 15% equity stake in a liquor import and sales unit of South Korea's Lotte group in early November to boost sales of beer and other alcoholic beverages there. Asahi said it will buy stocks to be issued by Highstar Co, currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co based in Seoul, for 750 million won (75 million yen), Kyodo News revealed.

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