An announcement on the deal could come as early as Wednesday, said the source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Earlier this month, F&N agreed to sell its 55 per cent stake in Myanmar Brewery to government-backed Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL) for US$560 million, bringing an end to a lengthy dispute. The source said Kirin was coming in as MEHL's nominee and is looking to buy the stake at the agreed price of US$560 million.
Kirin declined to comment and F&N had no immediate comment. Myanmar Brewery and MEHL could not be immediately reached for comment.
Japan's Yomiuri daily reported on Wednesday that Kirin was set to buy F&N's 55 per cent stake in Myanmar Brewery for as much as 100 billion yen (S$1.13 billion), and that it would announce the deal "soon". It did not say where it got the information.
Reuters has previously reported that SABMiller was eyeing a stake in Myanmar Brewery, and Kirin and Thailand's Boon Rawd Brewery could also be interested.