At Ben Thai, a small restaurant in the Tokyo suburb of Sengawacho, only four bottles of Asahi Super Dry remain. Owner Sakaolath Sugizaki hopes for a new delivery soon, but her supplier is keeping most stock for bigger customers. Japan’s largest brewer, Asahi, had to shut down production at nearly all 30 of its factories after a severe cyber-attack crippled its systems.
Breweries Reopen but Technology Stays Offline
Asahi has partially restarted its Japanese operations, including six major breweries, but its digital systems are still not working. Employees now manage orders and deliveries the old-fashioned way — with pens, paper, and fax machines. The manual process has slowed shipments dramatically. Since Asahi controls around 40% of Japan’s beer market, the disruption is affecting bars, restaurants, and retailers nationwide.
The company apologised for the inconvenience but gave no timeline for a full recovery. Reporters visiting stores in Tokyo and Hokkaido found staff selling off remaining stock and unable to place new orders for Asahi’s beer, water, and food products.
Shortages Reach Supermarkets and Bars
Tokyo liquor store owner Hisako Arisawa says she can get only a few bottles of Super Dry at a time. She fears shortages could last for weeks. The problem now stretches beyond beer. Supplies of Asahi’s soft drinks, including ginger beer and soda water, are running low.
Large convenience store chains have also warned of dwindling supplies. FamilyMart said its Famimaru bottled teas, made by Asahi, will likely disappear from shelves. 7-Eleven stopped shipments of Asahi products in Japan, and Lawson expects shortages to continue.
Pen and Paper Replace Digital Orders
Mr Nakano, an alcohol wholesaler who withheld his first name, said deliveries from Asahi have resumed but only at 10–20% of normal levels. Orders are now handwritten and sent by fax. Asahi confirms shipment times the same way.
The company, which owns international brands like Peroni, Grolsch, and Fuller’s, confirmed its European operations remain unaffected by the attack.
Hackers Claim the Attack
The ransomware group Qilin has claimed responsibility. The organisation operates a platform where users carry out cyber-attacks in exchange for a portion of ransom profits. Asahi has not revealed full details but said that some leaked data has appeared online.
This is one of many global cyber-attacks targeting large companies. Jaguar Land Rover and Marks and Spencer were among recent victims. In September, ransomware delayed flights at several European airports after check-in systems failed.
Japan has faced its own cyber troubles. In 2024, a hacker group disabled operations at Nagoya’s container terminal for three days. Last Christmas, Japan Airlines suffered a cyber-attack that caused major flight disruptions.
Japan’s Digital Weaknesses Laid Bare
Despite its high-tech image, Japan struggles with cybersecurity. Experts warn of too few skilled professionals and low digital literacy in many businesses. The government’s reliance on outdated systems became clear last year when officials finally stopped accepting floppy disk submissions.
Cartan McLaughlin from Nihon Cyber Defence Group said Japan’s dependence on old technology and its culture of trust make it an easy target. Many companies are unprepared and often pay ransoms, inviting more attacks.
Government Pledges Tougher Cyber Defences
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government is investigating the Asahi breach. He promised stronger cybersecurity measures. Earlier this year, Japan passed the Active Cyber Defense Law, allowing authorities to share information with businesses and launch counterattacks on hacker servers. Experts praise the law as a long-overdue step forward.
Small Businesses Left Waiting
For small restaurants like Ben Thai, these promises bring little relief. Owner Sakaolath still doesn’t know when her next shipment of Super Dry will arrive. Across Japan, countless small business owners are asking the same question — when will Asahi’s beer finally flow again?
