MANILA, Philippines -- Japanese brewer Kirin would be interested in buying a stake in the beer business of Philippines' San Miguel Corporation, a senior official said Thursday.

Asked if Kirin would be interested in buying shares in San Miguel Brewery, Yoshinori Isozaki, who represents Kirin on the board of San Miguel Brewery's parent group, said: "If there is an opportunity."

"We are very interested in the beer business."

Kirin already owns 20 percent of San Miguel.