At Ben Thai, a cosy restaurant in Tokyo’s Sengawacho district, only four bottles of Asahi Super Dry remain. Owner Sakaolath Sugizaki hopes for more soon, but her supplier has reserved most of the stock for larger clients. Japan’s biggest brewer, Asahi, halted production at nearly all of its 30 factories after a massive cyber-attack froze its operations.
Breweries Reopen, but Systems Stay Crippled
Asahi has now reopened several of its facilities, including six breweries, yet digital systems remain down. Staff must handle every order and shipment by hand — with pens, paper, and fax machines. The manual process has slowed distribution to a crawl. Holding around 40% of Japan’s beer market, Asahi’s troubles have sent shockwaves through restaurants, bars, and retailers nationwide.
The company issued a public apology but gave no clear date for a full recovery. Reporters visiting stores in Tokyo and Hokkaido found many selling their last supplies. Employees said they could not place new orders for Asahi’s beers, water, or food products.
Beer and Soft Drinks in Short Supply
Tokyo shop owner Hisako Arisawa worries about her loyal customers. She can only secure a few bottles of Super Dry at a time and expects the shortage to continue for weeks. The problem now affects more than beer. Stocks of Asahi’s soft drinks, such as ginger beer and soda water, are also running out.
Japan’s leading convenience stores have warned of gaps on shelves. FamilyMart said its Famimaru bottled teas, produced by Asahi, could soon vanish. 7-Eleven suspended shipments of Asahi items in Japan, and Lawson confirmed it expects continued shortages.
Fax Machines Back in Action
Mr Nakano, an alcohol wholesaler who declined to share his first name, said deliveries from Asahi have resumed but remain at just 10–20% of normal volumes. Orders must now be written by hand and sent via fax. Asahi also confirms truck departures by fax — a return to pre-digital routines few expected in 2025.
The brewer, which owns European brands like Peroni, Grolsch, and Fuller’s, assured that its international operations remain unaffected.
Hackers Behind the Digital Assault
Ransomware group Qilin has taken responsibility for the attack. The group operates a platform that lets users conduct cyber-attacks in exchange for a share of ransom profits. Asahi has not shared full details but confirmed that some stolen data has appeared online.
This attack adds to a growing list of global cyber incidents. Companies such as Jaguar Land Rover and Marks and Spencer have been recent victims. In September, ransomware disrupted check-in systems at several European airports, causing major delays.
Japan has not been spared either. In 2024, hackers crippled operations at Nagoya’s container terminal for three days. A year earlier, Japan Airlines suffered a cyber-attack that caused widespread cancellations and flight delays.
Japan’s Digital Defences Under Fire
Japan’s high-tech image hides major cybersecurity gaps. Experts say the country lacks trained professionals and has low digital literacy in business. The problem made headlines last year when the government finally stopped asking for documents on floppy disks — a technology abandoned decades ago elsewhere.
Cartan McLaughlin from Nihon Cyber Defence Group said Japan’s dependence on outdated systems and its culture of trust make it vulnerable. Many companies still pay ransoms, encouraging more attacks.
Government Promises Stronger Protection
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed an ongoing investigation into the Asahi attack. He pledged to strengthen Japan’s cyber capabilities. Earlier this year, the country passed the Active Cyber Defense Law, giving authorities new powers to share intelligence with firms and to strike back at hackers’ servers. Experts have called the measure a vital step forward.
Small Businesses Feel the Pressure
For small venues like Ben Thai, such reforms bring little immediate help. Owner Sakaolath still doesn’t know when her next delivery of Super Dry will arrive. Across Japan, small business owners share her frustration — waiting for the day Asahi’s beer starts flowing freely again.
