A major cyberattack has plunged Japan’s beer industry into chaos after Asahi, the country’s biggest brewer, was forced to suspend its domestic operations. The breach, which is suspected to involve ransomware, triggered a system failure starting on Monday, halting order processing, shipments, and customer service at nearly all of Asahi’s 30 factories across Japan. As a result, shelves at convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart rapidly emptied of Asahi products, with the popular Super Dry lager particularly at risk of running out as existing stocks are depleted.
Bars, restaurants, and retailers quickly felt the pinch, with some venues down to their last kegs of Asahi or forced to substitute rival brands for loyal customers. Asahi responded by manually recording some orders and resuming limited shipments for select products but refrained from taking fresh orders for alcoholic beverages in order to focus on clearing backlogs. The company reassured the public that the disruption impacts only its Japanese operations, leaving its international business—including UK and European brands like Peroni, Grolsch, and Pilsner Urquell—unaffected.
Authorities and Asahi are actively investigating the incident and collaborating with cybersecurity agencies, though no personal or customer data breaches have been confirmed. Customers across Japan are being warned of likely shortages as Asahi’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, with both the company and retailers bracing for continued disruption until full system restoration is achieved.
“Your donation helps us cover global events, ensuring everyone stays informed.”
(Source: NHK | The Independent | Channel News Asia)
