On the subject of Orion’s stock going public on the stock exchange, the abolition of the liquor tax reduction, and sales channel reconstruction, Okinawa’s governor sees progress in “prefectural economic development.” (26se25)

Splendor of Okinawa: Summer Snapdragon, roadside Uruma, 24se25.


“We’re looking forward to our prefecture’s economic development!”


On receiving news of Orion Beer’s listing on the stock exchange on 25 September, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki exuded a sense of expectation. This was the first time a manufacturer based in the prefecture had been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime.


From finance related individuals within the prefecture were heard voices of expectation for its effects on the region’s economic stimulation, with comments such as, “Regional stockholders will increase and the impetus for people in the prefecture to invest will be enhanced!”


In 1957, Orion Beer was founded as ”Okinawa Beer”. It firmly established its position  as the “prefectural people’s beer” within the prefecture,  aggressively boasting its market share.


However, the environment in the beer market worsened, due to  intensive competition from other alcohol products.


In 2019, the US financial fund Carlyle Group and Nomura Holdings bought out Orion for about 57 billion yen. Under those two companies it was re-established and positioned to proceed to rebirth through broadening its sales channels abroad


In recent years, sales and profits have been on an upward trend. During the March 2025 period, its combined gross sales broke all previous records.


However, since it’s stock exchange listing, the company faces mounting challenges. Along with the rejuvenation of Orion’s home office in Okinawa, at the end of this year, the government will abolish the tax reduction for beers, which it started in 1972 to re-invigorate regional businesses, such as those related to the liquor industry.


Moreover, in tandem with Orion’s listing on the stock exchange, Carlyle and Nomura sold out all the shares they had held. 


After finding itself independent of the two companies with their strong sales networks abroad, it must be asked how Orion will create its own sales channels at home and abroad.


The Ryukyu Bank Research Institute’s Director Eriko Miyaguni points out,  “While creating its own networks, Orion must concentrate on building the Orion brand.”

　

In addition, Director Miyaguni offered her viewpoint, noting, “As an enterprise on the stock exchange, regional contributions can be requested, and strengthening its  relationship with the region will be good for the Prefecture as well.”


Original Japanese article: JIJI.COM, published Friday 26 September 2025 at 07:10.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/5146b342fc42e5be962d75091a0d63c50c09a2e9


Denny in the News:

Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. Although Okinawa is important as an international tourist destination and a key element in strategic US Military Forces, its governor receives very little coverage in the Japanese press and almost none in the English language media. 


This blog hopes to  translate one news article a day on the governor.  It is unsponsored and unauthorized. The translator simply hopes to improve his skills and perhaps give the governor an English speaking audience. 


Any suggestion on improving the translation will be gratefully accepted. However, please leave political comments for another forum.


Where they occur, words and phrases in Ryukyuan (the Okinawan language) are rendered in italics and translated in parentheses. Names  whose readings are uncertain are rendered as Name (=Kanji?) as in Nagayuki (=長行?). Any corrections in such instances would be gratefully appreciated.

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