Cyber Attack Sparks Asahi Beer Shortage in Japan

Sun Oct 19 2025 20:14:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Japan's beloved Asahi products, including beer and bottled tea, are facing shortages due to a cyber-attack disrupting operations. Major retailers warn of limited availability as the company works to resolve the issue.

Asahi, Japan's largest brewer, is experiencing significant disruptions due to a cyber-attack that has rendered its factories inoperable. The attack has led to widespread shortages of Asahi products across major retailers like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart. With operations paused and no immediate timeline for recovery, customers are advised to expect limited stock of their favorite Asahi beverages. The company ensures that customer data remains secure and is currently investigating the cause of the attack.

Japan is facing a shortage of Asahi products, including beer and bottled tea, as the drinks giant grapples with the impact of a major cyber-attack that has impacted its operations in the country.

Most of the Asahi Group's factories in Japan have been at a standstill since Monday, after the attack hit its ordering and delivering systems, the firm has said.

Major Japanese retailers, including 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, have now warned customers to expect shortages of Asahi products.

Asahi has temporarily suspended orders and shipments of its products with no prospect of resumption, FamilyMart stated on Thursday. The firm, which is one of Japan's largest convenience stores, noted that its Famimaru range of bottled teas, which are made by Asahi, are expected to be in short supply or out of stock.

We sincerely apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused, said FamilyMart, adding that it is working with Asahi to resume the sale of the products.

7-Eleven, the Japanese-owned global convenience store chain, has halted shipments in the country of Asahi products, including its popular Super Dry beer. A spokesperson for 7-Eleven indicated that its shops have been advised to expect a shortage of Asahi products.

Lawson, another major Japanese retailer, also mentioned that it expected some Asahi products to be in short supply from today, planning to stock alternative products to minimize the impact on customers.

Japanese supermarket chain, Life Cooperation, also warned that Asahi products may soon go out of stock.

Asahi is the biggest brewer in Japan and also owns Fullers in the UK, alongside global brands such as Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch. Japan accounts for about half of its total sales.

Beyond beer, Asahi also produces soft drinks and food products, as well as supplying own-brand goods to retailers like FamilyMart.

Asahi confirmed earlier in the week that the system failure is limited to its operations in Japan, assuring that its European business remains unaffected. They added there has been no confirmed leakage of personal information of customer data. The company is actively investigating the cause and working to restore operations; however, a timeline for recovery has yet to be provided.

Additional reporting by Chika Nakayama in Tokyo