In Sengawacho, a quiet suburb of Tokyo, 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 keeping stock for bigger customers. Japan’s leading brewer, Asahi, shut down nearly all 30 of its factories after a massive cyber-attack paralysed its systems and halted production.
Breweries Reopen, but Computers Stay Silent
Asahi has reopened several facilities, including six breweries, but its IT systems remain offline. Workers now process every order and shipment manually — using pens, paper, and fax machines. The result is slower production and far fewer deliveries. With Asahi holding about 40% of Japan’s beer market, the disruption is causing serious headaches for restaurants, bars, and retailers.
The company has apologised to customers but has not said when operations will return to normal. Reporters visiting stores in Tokyo and Hokkaido found nearly empty shelves and staff unable to order new supplies of Asahi’s beer, bottled water, or food products.
Shortages Hit Shelves Nationwide
Tokyo liquor store owner Hisako Arisawa says she can only buy a few bottles of Super Dry at a time and fears shortages will last for weeks. The problem now stretches beyond beer. Stocks of Asahi’s soft drinks, such as ginger beer and soda water, are also running low.
Japan’s top convenience store chains have warned customers of short supplies. FamilyMart said its Famimaru bottled teas, produced by Asahi, could soon vanish. 7-Eleven has suspended shipments of Asahi products, while Lawson confirmed it expects continuing shortages.
Pen and Paper Replace Digital Systems
Mr Nakano, an alcohol wholesaler who asked not to share his first name, said deliveries from Asahi have resumed but remain at just 10–20% of usual volumes. Orders are now written by hand and sent by fax. Asahi also uses fax to confirm when lorries leave the factories.
The brewer, which owns global brands including Peroni, Grolsch, and Fuller’s, said its European operations have not been affected by the cyber-attack.
Ransomware Group Claims Responsibility
The ransomware group Qilin has claimed responsibility for the attack. It runs a platform that lets users carry out cyber-attacks for a share of the ransom money. Asahi has not released full details but confirmed that some stolen company data has appeared online.
The Asahi incident is part of a global surge in ransomware attacks. Major companies such as Jaguar Land Rover and Marks and Spencer have also been targeted recently. In September, ransomware disrupted check-in systems at European airports, causing severe delays.
Japan has faced several high-profile cyber incidents in recent years. In 2024, hackers halted operations at Nagoya’s container terminal for three days. Last Christmas, Japan Airlines suffered a cyber-attack that caused widespread delays and cancellations.
Japan’s Cybersecurity Defences Under Pressure
Despite its high-tech reputation, Japan struggles with digital security. Experts warn of too few cybersecurity professionals and low digital literacy in business. The problem was highlighted last year when the government finally stopped accepting floppy disk submissions.
Cartan McLaughlin from Nihon Cyber Defence Group said Japan’s dependence on outdated systems and its culture of trust make it easy prey for hackers. Many organisations remain unprepared and often pay ransoms, encouraging further attacks.
Government Pledges to Strengthen Cyber Defences
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said authorities are investigating the Asahi breach. He promised the government would keep improving Japan’s cyber capabilities. Earlier this year, the country passed the Active Cyber Defense Law, giving officials new powers to share intelligence with companies and launch counterattacks against hackers’ servers. Experts have praised the law as a major step forward.
Small Businesses Wait for Relief
For small venues like Ben Thai, those promises mean little in the short term. Owner Sakaolath still doesn’t know when her next order of Super Dry will arrive. Across Japan, countless small business owners share her frustration — wondering when Asahi’s beer will finally start flowing again.
