Asahi's Brewing Operations Stalled: The Impact of a Cyber Attack

Japanese brewing giant Asahi has recently fallen victim to a cyber-attack, resulting in a significant systems failure that has disrupted both its shipping and customer service operations within Japan. Despite the severity of the incident, the company confirmed that there has been no leakage of personal information or customer data, and that its European operations, including those in the UK, remain unaffected.

Asahi, recognized as the largest brewer in Japan, also owns several notable global beer brands such as Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch. It has a presence in the UK through Fullers, which brews London Pride, as well as cider and soft drinks like Cornish Orchards.

In a statement, Asahi expressed its apologies to customers and business partners, citing ongoing investigations into the cause of the attack and a lack of an estimated timeline for recovery. The system failure appears to be confined solely to operations in Japan, with the company assuring that manufacturing operations in Europe, especially the UK beer supply, are not impacted by this incident.

Notably, Asahi’s sales predominantly occur within Japan, accounting for about 50% of its total revenue. The company had previously identified cyber-attacks as a primary risk in its operations, fearing potential business interruptions, cashflow issues, and damage to its brand due to such incidents. In their 2024 report, Asahi discussed strategies for enhancing its security protocols in light of these threats.

This attack is not an isolated incident, as several major businesses in the UK, including Harrods, Jaguar Land Rover, and Marks and Spencer, have also been victims of cyber-attacks in recent months. The BBC has reached out to Asahi for more insights regarding the specific impacts on its domestic operations in Japan. Challenges in Japan’s domestic market are compounded by changing consumer behaviors, with increasing numbers of young people opting for non-alcoholic beverages. Asahi’s CEO, Atsushi Katsuki, has highlighted efforts to amplify the company’s share of low or zero-alcohol beverages to 20% of total beverage sales.