Cyber-attack disrupts Asahi’s production and supply, causing beer shortages in Japan

Japan’s leading brewing company, Asahi, faced major production disruptions after a ransomware cyber-attack at the end of September forced it to halt operations at most of its 30 factories nationwide. Although some breweries have partially reopened, Asahi’s computer systems remain down, requiring the company to handle orders and shipments manually by pen, paper, and fax. This has severely reduced shipments, limiting availability of Asahi’s popular products like Super Dry beer, soft drinks, and bottled teas across restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets in Japan. Major convenience chains including FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson have reported shortages or halted shipments. The hacking group Qilin claimed responsibility for the attack, which reportedly leaked some stolen data online. While Asahi’s European brands remain unaffected, the incident highlights Japan’s cyber vulnerabilities due to reliance on legacy systems and lack of sufficient cybersecurity professionals. The Japanese government is investigating and has recently enacted stronger cyber defense laws empowering authorities to respond more effectively to attacks. Meanwhile, many businesses and customers face uncertainty about when normal supply will resume, vividly demonstrating the impact of cyber-attacks on everyday commerce and supply chains in Japan.