In the quiet Tokyo suburb of Sengawacho, the Ben Thai restaurant has just four bottles of Asahi Super Dry left. Owner Sakaolath Sugizaki hopes for a delivery soon, but her supplier is saving stock for larger buyers. Japan’s leading brewer, Asahi, shut down almost all of its 30 factories after a major cyber-attack crippled its operations and froze production nationwide.
Breweries Restart, but the System Remains Paralyzed
Several of Asahi’s plants, including six major breweries, have now partially reopened. However, the company’s IT systems remain offline. Staff must handle every order and delivery manually — with pens, paper, and fax machines. This outdated process has sharply reduced production and delayed shipments.
Asahi commands around 40% of Japan’s beer market, and the disruption has rippled through the country’s restaurants, bars, and stores. The company apologised for the ongoing problems but offered no date for full recovery. Reporters visiting stores in Tokyo and Hokkaido found dwindling stocks and employees unable to reorder Asahi beers, bottled water, or food products.
Beer Shelves Empty Across Japan
Liquor store owner Hisako Arisawa in Tokyo says she receives only a few bottles of Super Dry at a time. She expects the shortage to last several weeks. The issue now stretches beyond beer. Supplies of Asahi’s soft drinks, including ginger beer and soda water, are also drying up.
Japan’s major convenience store chains have warned customers to prepare for shortages. FamilyMart said its Famimaru bottled teas, produced by Asahi, will be difficult to find. 7-Eleven stopped distributing Asahi products entirely, while Lawson expects further supply problems soon.
Fax Machines Replace Digital Systems
Mr Nakano, an alcohol wholesaler who declined to give his first name, said Asahi deliveries have resumed but remain at just 10–20% of normal levels. Orders are handwritten and sent via fax. Asahi also uses fax messages to confirm truck departures from its factories.
The company, which owns well-known global brands like Peroni, Grolsch, and Fuller’s, confirmed that its European operations remain unaffected by the attack.
Ransomware Group Takes the Blame
The ransomware organisation Qilin claimed responsibility for the attack. It operates a service that enables users to launch cyber-attacks in exchange for a share of ransom profits. Asahi has not released full details but said some leaked company data has appeared online.
The incident adds to a global wave of ransomware assaults targeting major corporations. Firms like Jaguar Land Rover and Marks and Spencer were also hit in recent months. In September, several European airports faced severe delays after hackers disrupted check-in systems.
Japan has seen similar chaos. In 2024, a cyber-attack shut down Nagoya’s container terminal for three days. Last Christmas, Japan Airlines faced flight cancellations and delays after hackers breached its systems.
Japan’s Digital Defenses Under Fire
Despite its image as a technology leader, Japan’s cybersecurity remains fragile. Experts say the country lacks trained professionals and modern protection tools. The problem gained attention last year when officials finally stopped requiring floppy disks for government submissions.
Cartan McLaughlin of Nihon Cyber Defence Group said Japan’s dependence on outdated systems and its culture of trust make it vulnerable to hackers. Many companies are unprepared and often pay ransoms, encouraging further attacks.
Government Pledges to Strengthen Cybersecurity
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government is investigating the Asahi breach. He vowed to improve Japan’s cyber resilience. Earlier this year, Japan passed the Active Cyber Defense Law, giving officials greater power to share information with companies and to launch counterattacks against hackers’ servers. Experts have welcomed the move as a significant step forward.
Small Businesses Wait for Relief
For small restaurants like Ben Thai, government measures bring little comfort. Owner Sakaolath still doesn’t know when her next order of Super Dry will arrive. Across Japan, small business owners share her frustration — waiting for Asahi’s beer to flow again.
