Cyber Chaos: Asahi Beer Shortage Hits Japan Amid Major Cyber-Attack

Japan is currently experiencing a significant shortage of Asahi products, including its popular beer and bottled tea, due to a major cyber-attack that has severely disrupted the company’s operations. Since Monday, most Asahi Group factories have been at a standstill, impacting their ordering and delivery systems. Retail giants like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart have warned customers to prepare for limited availability of Asahi goods.

FamilyMart has publicly stated that it has temporarily suspended orders and shipments of Asahi products, expressing uncertainties about when operations might resume. This situation is particularly concerning as the Famimaru range of bottled teas, produced by Asahi, is also facing shortages. A spokesperson from FamilyMart apologized for the inconvenience and noted efforts to restore availability in collaboration with Asahi.

7-Eleven, a leading convenience store in Japan, has similarly halted shipments of Asahi beverages, including the well-liked Super Dry beer, and reported anticipated shortages to its shops. Lawson and Life Cooperation, other key retailers, have also indicated that Asahi products may soon be out of stock, planning to substitute with alternative offerings to help mitigate the impact on customers.

Asahi remains Japan’s largest brewer and has a significant global presence, owning brands like Fullers, Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch. Notably, Japan accounts for about half of the brewery’s total sales, underscoring the critical nature of these disruptions. While Asahi confirmed that the cyber-attack’s effects are limited to Japan and that its European operations are unaffected, the company is actively investigating the attack and working to restore normal operations—although no timeline for recovery has been provided. It’s important to note that there has been no confirmed leak of customer data as a result of the cyber incident.