Only four bottles of Asahi Super Dry beer remain on the shelves of Ben Thai, a small restaurant in Sengawacho, a Tokyo suburb. Owner Sakaolath Sugizaki expects more soon, but her supplier is prioritising bigger clients. Japan’s biggest brewer, Asahi, halted production at most of its 30 factories after a major cyber-attack.
Factories Partially Reopen but Systems Still Down
All of Asahi’s Japanese facilities, including six breweries, have partially reopened, yet computer systems remain offline. Staff must now handle orders and shipments manually, using pen, paper, and fax machines. The result is far fewer deliveries than before. Asahi produces about 40% of Japan’s beer, so the disruption hits bars, restaurants, and retailers hard.
The company apologised for the inconvenience but did not say when operations would return to normal. Reporters visiting convenience stores and supermarkets in Tokyo and Hokkaido found many running out of Asahi products. Staff said they were selling remaining stock and couldn’t place new orders for beer, water, or food items.
Shortages Spread Beyond Beer
Hisako Arisawa, who runs a liquor store in Tokyo, worries about her customers. She receives only a few bottles of Super Dry each time and expects shortages for at least another month. The problem extends beyond beer. Supplies of Asahi’s soft drinks, like ginger beer and soda water, are also dwindling.
Major convenience store chains have warned customers about shortages. FamilyMart said its Famimaru bottled teas, made by Asahi, could soon run out. 7-Eleven stopped shipments of Asahi goods in Japan, and Lawson also warned of upcoming supply gaps.
Manual Orders and Fax Machines Return
Mr Nakano, who works for an alcohol wholesaler and declined to share his first name, said shipments have resumed but only at 10–20% of normal levels. He now sends orders by hand and fax. Asahi faxes him updates when trucks leave its factories.
Asahi also owns global beer brands such as Peroni, Grolsch, and Fuller’s in Europe. The company confirmed that its overseas operations have not suffered from the cyber-attack.
Ransomware Group Claims Responsibility
Ransomware group Qilin has claimed responsibility for the attack. The organisation runs a platform where users launch cyber-attacks in return for a share of ransom money. Asahi has not confirmed details of the breach but said some data from the attack appeared online.
This attack follows a global wave of cyber incidents targeting major firms, including carmaker Jaguar Land Rover and retail giant Marks and Spencer. In September, a ransomware attack disrupted check-in systems at several European airports.
Japan itself has faced several similar incidents. In 2024, hackers shut down a container terminal in Nagoya for three days. Last Christmas, Japan Airlines was attacked, causing flight delays and cancellations.
Cyber Weaknesses Exposed
Japan’s reputation as a high-tech nation hides some weaknesses. Experts say the country lacks cybersecurity professionals and has low digital literacy in business settings. This became clear last year when the government finally stopped accepting floppy disk submissions, decades after most countries abandoned them.
Cartan McLaughlin of Nihon Cyber Defence Group said Japan remains vulnerable because of outdated systems and a culture of trust. Many organisations are unprepared for attacks and often pay ransoms, making them easy targets for hackers.
Government Vows Stronger Cyber Defences
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced that authorities are investigating the Asahi incident. He promised the government would keep improving its cyber capabilities. Earlier this year, Japan passed the Active Cyber Defense Law, allowing authorities to share information with companies and launch counterattacks against hacker servers. Experts have welcomed the law as a major step forward.
Small Businesses Still Suffer
For small restaurants like Ben Thai, these developments bring little comfort. Owner Sakaolath remains uncertain when she will next receive Super Dry. Across Japan, many small businesses face the same question — when will Asahi’s taps start flowing again?
