Japan’s largest brewer Asahi Group Holdings is still struggling to restore normal operations more than a month after a devastating ransomware attack paralyzed its domestic order and logistics systems (inside.beer, 18.10.2025). The incident forced the company to revert to manual order processing via phone, paper, and fax—cutting beer shipments to roughly 10% of regular volumes. The disruption comes at the worst possible time, just ahead of Japan’s peak beer-drinking and oseibo gift-giving season.
According to Asahi, the cyberattack—confined to systems managed within Japan—temporarily shut down production at most of its 30 domestic facilities, including six breweries, before limited operations resumed. The company confirmed that data suspected of being leaked has surfaced online and apologized for “any difficulties caused by the recent attack” (Asahi Group Holdings Newsroom). External cybersecurity experts are assisting its Emergency Response Headquarters, while investigations continue into a potential unauthorized transfer of personal information.
Ransomware group Qilin has claimed responsibility for the attack. It reportedly operates a network enabling cyberattacks in exchange for a share of ransom payments. Analysts believe Asahi’s long-term integration of legacy systems, inherited through years of acquisitions, made the company particularly vulnerable. “They are still in a process of integrating—that’s where they were vulnerable,” noted Tetsutaro Uehara, professor of information technology at Ritsumeikan University according to The Japan Times.
The impact on Japan’s beverage sector has been profound. Asahi controls about 40% of the national beer market, and the slowdown has forced bars, restaurants, and retailers to seek substitutes. Competitors have rapidly capitalized on the shortfall. Kirin Brewery Co., buoyed by strong sales of its Ichiban Shibori brand, overtook Asahi as Japan’s retail beer leader in early October. Suntory Holdings Ltd. and Sapporo Breweries Ltd. have ramped up production and even replaced Asahi’s branded taps and glassware in bars through wholesalers, making it harder for outlets to revert once supply normalizes.
Retail conditions remain mixed. Discount chain OK in central Tokyo still lists Super Dry in stock, while major convenience stores—7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson—report healthy supplies of Super Dry but emerging shortages for soft drinks, private-label beverages, and Monster Beverage energy drinks distributed by Asahi.
Financially, Asahi faces mounting pressure. The company has postponed its third-quarter results indefinitely due to settlement delays and limited access to financial data.
While Asahi’s European subsidiaries—owners of Peroni, Grolsch, and Fuller’s—remain unaffected, the prolonged disruption at home could alter Japan’s beer market structure. Losing draft presence in bars and restaurants risks eroding brand loyalty that took decades to build.
