Japan is currently experiencing a shortage of Asahi products, including its well-known beer and bottled teas. This disruption is due to a major cyber-attack that has severely impacted the beverage giant’s domestic operations. Asahi Group’s factories across Japan have been largely non-operational since Monday, as the attack targeted essential ordering and delivery systems.
Major retailers such as 7-Eleven and FamilyMart have alerted consumers to potential stockouts of Asahi-branded items. In a statement released on Friday, Asahi acknowledged the situation, noting that they are “unable to provide a clear timeline for recovery.” However, the company has begun implementing manual processes to handle orders and shipments, aiming to mitigate the impact on customers.
Asahi, the largest brewer in Japan, also produces a range of soft drinks and food products, and supplies private-label goods to other retailers. While the company has global brands like Peroni and Pilsner Urquell, the current cyber-attack exclusively affects its operations in Japan, which represent approximately half of its total sales.
The company stated that as a result of containment efforts, its ordering and shipping systems in Japan remain suspended. They are also temporarily unable to receive external emails. Asahi is working to restart its call center services next week and is dedicating all efforts to restoring the systems as quickly as possible, while also deploying alternative measures to ensure a continued product supply.
Retailers like FamilyMart have reported that their own-brand bottled teas, manufactured by Asahi, are expected to be scarce or unavailable. Lawson and other major retailers have also warned of potential shortages and are actively seeking alternative products to minimize customer inconvenience. 7-Eleven has temporarily halted the shipment of Asahi products, including its popular Super Dry beer, in Japan.
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