Asahi Group Holdings is facing a shortage of its beer and bottled tea in Japan after a major cyberattack disrupted its domestic operations, forcing factories to halt production.
The brewer, best known for its flagship Super Dry beer, said its ordering and delivery systems were taken offline earlier this week, bringing most of its Japanese plants to a standstill since Monday. The disruption has prompted major retailers including FamilyMart and Lawson to warn customers of shortages.
FamilyMart, one of Japan’s largest convenience store chains, said it had suspended orders and shipments of Asahi products with no prospect of immediate resumption. Its private-label Famimaru bottled teas, produced by Asahi, are expected to run out. “We sincerely apologise to our customers for the inconvenience and are working closely with Asahi to restore supply,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.
Lawson echoed similar concerns, saying it expected some Asahi products to be in short supply starting Thursday and would seek alternative products to limit the impact. Japanese supermarket chain Life Cooperation also warned of possible stockouts.
Asahi confirmed the attack was limited to its domestic operations and that no customer data leaks had been detected. “We are actively investigating the cause and working to restore operations, though no timeline for recovery has been established,” the company said earlier this week.
Japan accounts for about half of Asahi’s total sales. The group also owns international brands such as Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch, as well as Fuller’s in the UK.
The attack highlights the growing risks facing Japanese corporates from cyber threats, particularly as supply chains and ordering systems become more digitised.
