A large-scale cyber attack has crippled Asahi Group Holdings, Japan’s biggest brewer and the producer of Asahi Super Dry, forcing the suspension of most operations at its domestic factories and threatening nationwide shortages of beer and other beverages.
The incident, detected on Monday, disrupted the brewer’s ordering, shipment, and communication systems, effectively halting automated production and delivery processes across much of its Japanese network. While physical brewing has not been confirmed as completely stopped, the Financial Times and BBC reported that the “vast majority” of Asahi’s 30 factories in Japan are unable to operate normally.
Major convenience store chains including 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson have warned customers of imminent shortages of Asahi products such as Super Dry and bottled teas. Some retailers have begun to stock alternative brands from competitors like Suntory and Kirin to minimize disruption, though loyalty to Asahi’s flagship beer remains strong among Japanese consumers.
Atsushi Katsuki, president and group CEO of Asahi, apologized for the situation and said the company was “making every effort to restore the system as quickly as possible.” He emphasized that product supply to customers remains the top priority and confirmed that Asahi has started limited manual order and shipment processing while reopening its call centers.
Asahi stated there has been no confirmed leakage of personal or customer data to external parties. However, the attack has forced the indefinite postponement of several planned product launches, including soft drinks and flavored beverages. The company has not yet provided a recovery timeline and is still investigating whether ransomware was involved.
The impact highlights the growing vulnerability of Japan’s manufacturing sector to cyber threats. Experts from Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) noted that Japanese firms are increasingly targeted by ransomware groups due to outdated digital infrastructure and a pattern of private settlements. In 2024, Japan’s National Police Agency recorded 222 ransomware incidents—a 12% rise from the previous year—though experts say the real number is far higher.
The government responded in May with new legislation granting authorities broader powers to counter cybercrime. Still, security analysts warn that critical sectors such as brewing and food production remain exposed because of their heavy reliance on interconnected production and logistics systems.
According to Manufacturing Digital, manufacturing accounted for 40% of all cyberattacks in the Asia-Pacific region this year, ahead of finance and transport. Analysts stress that such attacks now aim less at stealing data and more at disrupting operational technology (OT) essential for business continuity.
While Asahi’s international operations—responsible for brands like Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch—remain unaffected, Japan accounts for roughly half of the group’s total sales, making this disruption one of the most serious crises in its recent history.
Retailers have warned that shelves could soon be empty of Asahi products if the outage continues. Japan’s favorite beer, Super Dry, could run out in some supermarkets and bars within days unless systems are restored.
