Asahi halts Japanese production after cyberattack disrupts national supply chain

Asahi Group Holdings has suspended operations at most of its Japanese factories following a cyberattack that crippled the brewer's ordering and distribution infrastructure, raising concerns about supply shortages across the country's retail sector.

The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has forced Japan's largest brewer to halt shipments of core products including beer and bottled tea, affecting inventory levels at major convenience store chains 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson, as well as supermarket operator Life Cooperation.

Recovery efforts under way

Asahi has commenced limited shipment restoration through manual order processing, though the company has declined to provide a definitive timeline for full operational recovery. Email communications with external partners and automated logistics platforms remain offline, while customer support services are not expected to resume until next week.

The attack has been contained to Asahi's domestic operations, which account for approximately half of the group's global revenues. International subsidiaries operating brands including Italy's Peroni, Czech Republic's Pilsner Urquell, Dutch brewer Grolsch and UK-based Fuller's continue to function normally.

Retail impact and contingency measures

Major retailers have begun sourcing alternative stock to mitigate consumer impact as Asahi implements containment protocols and prioritises supply chain restoration. The disruption highlights the vulnerability of Japan's tightly integrated distribution networks to digital security breaches.

The incident marks the latest in a series of cyberattacks targeting Japanese corporations, underscoring escalating risks to operational continuity in the country's manufacturing sector.