Only four bottles of Asahi Super Dry remain on the shelves at Ben Thai, a cosy restaurant in Tokyo’s Sengawacho district. Owner Sakaolath Sugizaki hopes to receive new stock soon, but her supplier reserves most supplies for larger clients.
Production grinds to a halt after cyber-attack
Japan’s biggest beer producer, Asahi, shut down most of its 30 domestic factories at the end of last month after a cyber-attack. All facilities, including six breweries, have since reopened partially, yet computer systems remain offline. Orders and shipments now depend on pen, paper and fax machines, cutting volumes sharply.
Asahi controls around 40% of Japan’s beer market, so the outage sends shockwaves through bars, restaurants and retailers. The company has apologised for the disruption but has not said when operations will return to normal.
Shops and restaurants face empty shelves
Reporters visiting supermarkets and convenience stores in Tokyo and Hokkaido found shelves running low. Staff said they were selling remaining stock but unable to place new orders for Asahi’s beers, soft drinks and food products.
Liquor store owner Hisako Arisawa in Tokyo says she now receives only a few bottles of Super Dry at a time. She expects shortages to last at least a month. Soft drinks such as ginger beer and soda water are also hard to find.
Convenience giants warn of shortages
Major convenience chains have started warning customers about supply problems. FamilyMart said its Famimaru bottled teas, produced by Asahi, may soon be unavailable. 7-Eleven has halted shipments of Asahi products within Japan, while Lawson also predicts limited availability.
An alcohol wholesaler named Mr. Nakano said he now receives only 10–20% of his usual orders. He must write them by hand and send them by fax. Asahi confirms deliveries by fax when trucks leave its factories.
European brands remain untouched
Asahi owns several European beer brands, including Peroni, Grolsch and the British brewer Fuller’s. The company confirmed that its overseas operations have not been affected by the cyber-attack.
Ransomware group Qilin has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group offers a platform for others to launch cyber-attacks in exchange for a share of extortion profits. Asahi has not disclosed full details but confirmed that leaked company data appeared online.
Cyber threats spread worldwide
The Asahi breach adds to a string of global cyber-attacks. Jaguar Land Rover and retailer Marks and Spencer suffered similar incidents this year. In September, a ransomware attack disrupted check-in systems at several European airports.
Japan itself has faced multiple hits. A cyber-attack froze operations at a Nagoya container terminal for three days in 2024. Last Christmas, hackers targeted Japan Airlines, causing flight delays and cancellations.
Japan’s digital weaknesses revealed
Despite its high-tech reputation, Japan struggles with cybersecurity. Experts warn of too few trained specialists and weak digital literacy in many firms. The country only stopped using floppy disks for government paperwork last year, decades after other nations abandoned them.
Cartan McLaughlin from Nihon Cyber Defence Group said Japan’s dependence on outdated systems and strong social trust make it an easy target. Many organisations are unprepared and quick to pay ransoms, attracting more hackers.
Government promises stronger protection
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that the government is investigating the Asahi breach. He pledged to strengthen Japan’s cyber capabilities. Earlier this year, lawmakers passed the Active Cyber Defense Law, giving authorities more power to counter hackers.
The law allows the government to share more threat information with companies and permits police and the Self-Defense Forces to take offensive action against criminal servers.
Small businesses bear the pain
For small businesses like Ben Thai, these promises bring little comfort. Owner Sakaolath wonders if she will get her next delivery of Super Dry. Across Japan, restaurant and bar owners share her uncertainty as Asahi struggles to recover.
