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 more soon, but her supplier is saving stock for larger clients. Japan’s biggest brewer, Asahi, shut down most of its 30 factories after a crippling cyber-attack froze its computer systems and halted production.
Breweries Restart but Systems Stay Down
Asahi has reopened several facilities, including six major breweries, but its IT systems remain offline. Employees now process orders and deliveries by hand — with pens, paper, and fax machines. The switch to manual operations has slowed production and shipping. With Asahi controlling around 40% of Japan’s beer market, the impact has rippled through restaurants, bars, and retailers across the country.
The company has apologised to customers but has not given a date for full recovery. Reporters visiting shops in Tokyo and Hokkaido found shelves emptying quickly. Staff said they were selling the last remaining stock and unable to place new orders for Asahi’s beers, bottled water, or food products.
Shortages Spread Across Japan
Tokyo liquor store owner Hisako Arisawa says she can only get a few bottles of Super Dry at a time. She expects the shortage to last for weeks. The problem goes beyond beer. Supplies of Asahi’s soft drinks, including ginger beer and soda water, are running low.
Major convenience store chains have also warned customers about empty shelves. FamilyMart said its Famimaru bottled teas, made by Asahi, could soon disappear. 7-Eleven suspended shipments of Asahi goods nationwide, and Lawson confirmed that shortages are likely to continue.
Orders by Hand, Deliveries by Fax
Mr Nakano, an alcohol wholesaler who declined to share his first name, said deliveries from Asahi have resumed but at only 10–20% of normal levels. Orders are now handwritten and sent by fax. Asahi confirms truck departures the same way.
The company, which owns international beer brands such as Peroni, Grolsch, and Fuller’s, confirmed its European operations have not been affected by the cyber-attack.
Ransomware Group Takes Credit
Ransomware group Qilin has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group runs a platform that lets users launch cyber-attacks in exchange for a share of ransom payments. Asahi has not disclosed full details but confirmed that some stolen data has surfaced online.
The attack is part of a global wave targeting large corporations. Jaguar Land Rover and Marks and Spencer were among recent victims. In September, ransomware disrupted airport systems across Europe, delaying flights and check-ins.
Japan has faced several high-profile cyber incidents of its own. In 2024, a hacker group paralysed Nagoya’s container terminal for three days. Last Christmas, Japan Airlines suffered a cyber-attack that caused widespread delays and cancellations.
Japan’s Cybersecurity Weaknesses Revealed
Japan’s tech-savvy image hides deep digital vulnerabilities. Experts say the country faces a shortage of cybersecurity professionals and low digital literacy in business operations. The issue became symbolic last year when officials finally stopped accepting floppy disk submissions.
Cartan McLaughlin of Nihon Cyber Defence Group said Japan’s dependence on outdated systems and a culture of trust make it an easy target. Many companies remain unprepared for attacks and often pay ransoms, which attracts more hackers.
Government Promises Tighter Cyber Defences
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government is investigating the Asahi breach. He pledged to strengthen Japan’s cyber defences. Earlier this year, Japan passed the Active Cyber Defense Law, giving authorities the power to share information with companies and authorise counterattacks against hackers’ servers. Experts welcomed the move as an important turning point.
Small Businesses Feel the Squeeze
For small restaurants like Ben Thai, those reforms can’t come soon enough. Owner Sakaolath still doesn’t know when she’ll be able to restock Super Dry. Across Japan, countless small business owners are asking the same question — when will Asahi’s beer start flowing again?
