In Sengawacho, a quiet suburb of Tokyo, the Ben Thai restaurant has only four bottles of Asahi Super Dry left. Owner Sakaolath Sugizaki hopes for a restock soon, but her supplier is prioritising larger clients. Japan’s biggest brewer, Asahi, was forced to halt production at almost all of its 30 factories after a cyber-attack paralysed its systems and disrupted operations across the country.
Breweries Reopen but Digital Systems Stay Frozen
Asahi has restarted several factories, including six breweries, but its computer systems remain offline. Employees now handle orders and shipments manually, using pens, paper, and fax machines. The return to old tools has slowed production and deliveries drastically.
With Asahi controlling around 40% of Japan’s beer market, the impact is severe. Bars, restaurants, and retailers are struggling to fill their shelves. The company apologised for the disruption but has not said when it expects full recovery. Reporters visiting stores in Tokyo and Hokkaido found nearly empty beer aisles and staff unable to order new Asahi products, including water and food items.
Shortages Spread Beyond Beer
Tokyo liquor store owner Hisako Arisawa says she can only order a few bottles of Super Dry at a time. She fears the shortage will last at least a month. The problem now extends beyond beer. Asahi’s soft drinks, such as ginger beer and soda water, are also running low.
Major convenience store chains are warning customers to expect empty shelves. FamilyMart said its Famimaru bottled teas, produced by Asahi, will likely be out of stock. 7-Eleven has stopped shipping Asahi products, while Lawson expects its supplies to run thin in the coming weeks.
Fax Machines Replace Modern Systems
Mr Nakano, an alcohol wholesaler who declined to share his first name, says shipments from Asahi have resumed but remain at only 10–20% of normal levels. Orders are written by hand and sent via fax. Asahi also uses fax to confirm truck departures from its factories.
The company, which owns global beer brands like Peroni, Grolsch, and Fuller’s, said its European operations have not been affected by the attack.
Ransomware Group Admits Responsibility
The ransomware group Qilin has claimed responsibility for the cyber-attack. The organisation runs a platform that allows others to launch attacks for a share of the ransom money. Asahi has not shared technical details but confirmed that stolen company data has appeared online.
The attack follows a global rise in ransomware incidents. Major firms like Jaguar Land Rover and Marks and Spencer have also been targeted recently. In September, several European airports experienced flight delays after hackers disrupted their check-in systems.
Japan has faced its own string of cyber incidents. In 2024, hackers froze operations at Nagoya’s container terminal for three days. Japan Airlines was also hacked last Christmas, causing widespread cancellations and delays.
Japan’s Cyber Weaknesses Exposed
Japan’s reputation for advanced technology masks deep cybersecurity flaws. Experts warn the country lacks digital specialists and strong protection systems. The issue became clear last year when officials finally stopped accepting floppy disk submissions for government paperwork.
Cartan McLaughlin from Nihon Cyber Defence Group said Japan’s dependence on old systems and its culture of trust make it easy prey for hackers. Many organisations remain poorly prepared and are quick to pay ransoms, attracting more cybercriminals.
Government Responds with New Law
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said authorities are investigating the Asahi attack. He pledged to strengthen national cyber defences. Earlier this year, Japan introduced the Active Cyber Defense Law, giving officials more power to share information with companies and authorise counterattacks against hackers’ servers. Experts praised the law as a crucial improvement.
Small Businesses Bear the Brunt
For small businesses like Ben Thai, government action brings little immediate relief. Owner Sakaolath still doesn’t know when her next shipment of Super Dry will arrive. Across Japan, small shop owners share the same frustration — waiting for Asahi’s beer to flow again.
