Tokyo: Japan Grapples with Shortage of Asahi Products Following Major Cyber-Attack
Japan is currently facing a shortage of Asahi products, including its famous Super Dry beer and bottled teas, after a significant cyber-attack disrupted the company’s systems earlier this week. Since Monday, most of Asahi Group’s factories in the country have been at a standstill, completely halting production and distribution.
The cyber-attack has severely impacted Asahi’s ordering and delivery systems, forcing the brewer to rely on limited manual processing. Major retailers such as 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson have already alerted customers that stocks of Asahi products will be low or, in some cases, unavailable in the coming days.
Cyber-Attack Stalls Japan’s Biggest Brewer
Asahi, Japan’s largest brewer and a global player with well-known brands like Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch, emphasized that the incident has only affected its Japanese operations. Despite this, the disruption is significant, as Japan accounts for nearly half of the company’s total sales.
In a statement, Asahi admitted that it currently has no clear timeline for recovery. While system-based order and shipment processes remain suspended, the company has started “partial manual” shipments and plans to reopen its call center next week. Additionally, communication has been complicated as Asahi revealed it cannot receive external emails at this time.
Retailers Brace for Empty Shelves
Convenience store giant 7-Eleven has already stopped shipments of Asahi products across Japan, warning outlets to prepare for shortages. FamilyMart reported that its popular Famimaru bottled teas, produced by Asahi, would be in short supply or entirely unavailable. Meanwhile, Lawson announced plans to stock up on alternative products to mitigate the impact on customers.
Supermarket chain Life Cooperation also expects Asahi products to run out of stock soon. This ripple effect highlights how deeply ingrained Asahi is in Japan’s consumer market. From beer to bottled tea, Asahi products hold prime shelf space, and their sudden absence will be keenly felt by both households and casual drinkers alike.
Asahi’s Leadership Apologizes
Atsushi Katsuki, Asahi’s president and group CEO, apologized for the disruption and assured the public that the company is making every effort to restore operations.
“We are making every effort to restore the system as quickly as possible, while implementing alternative measures to ensure continued product supply to our customers,” he stated.
While the apology may provide some reassurance, in a country where convenience and reliability are paramount, even temporary shortages can test consumer patience. For now, Asahi is focused on damage control, balancing containment measures, manual shipments, and strained retailer relationships.
Opinion: A Sobering Reminder of Cyber Risks
This crisis underscores a larger issue: Japan’s vulnerability to cyber-attacks targeting critical industries. A single breach has not only frozen a major corporation but also disrupted everyday retail supply chains.
For consumers, the shortage is a frustrating inconvenience. For Asahi, it presents a significant reputational challenge. And for Japan’s corporate sector as a whole, it serves as a wake-up call about cybersecurity preparedness.
While beer shortages might seem minor on the surface, they reveal the fragile backbone of a hyper-connected economy. In the coming weeks, regaining consumer trust may prove just as crucial for Asahi as restoring its systems.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/japan-faces-asahi-beer-shortage-after-cyber-attack