Asahi Group, Japan’s largest brewer, has restarted beer production at all six of its domestic breweries following a major cyber-attack that forced a temporary shutdown of its operations last week. The company confirmed that its flagship Asahi Super Dry beer is back in production, though it cautioned that facilities are “not yet fully operational” and that normal output will resume gradually over the coming days.
The cyber-attack, which crippled Asahi’s ordering and delivery systems, led to significant supply disruptions across Japan. Major retailers including 7-Eleven and FamilyMart reported shortages of Asahi beverages, warning customers of temporary stock gaps in stores nationwide.
In a statement, Asahi said two of its soft drink factories have partially reopened but are still operating below capacity. Five additional beverage plants are expected to resume production in stages as distribution stabilises. The brewer also confirmed that all seven of its food production facilities have restarted, though they too remain below full output levels.
The company emphasised that the attack did not directly affect its production systems. However, the inability to process orders and manage shipments forced a temporary halt in operations to prevent further disruption.
From 15 October, Asahi will resume shipments of 16 key products, including Asahi Dry Zero, Asahi Zero, Clear Asahi, and Black Nikka Clear whisky. The company added that some new product launches have been postponed as recovery work continues.
The incident underscores the growing cybersecurity risks faced by major manufacturers with complex supply chains. Asahi joins a growing list of global firms hit by similar attacks, following recent disruptions at companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, where cyber incidents have led to temporary production halts.
Asahi’s domestic business — which accounts for roughly half of its global revenue — was the most affected by the attack. Its international operations, including ownership of Fuller’s in the UK and global beer brands such as Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch, were not impacted.
The company said it is prioritising the gradual restoration of full operations while strengthening cybersecurity measures across its global network. Despite the temporary disruption, Asahi expressed confidence in meeting domestic demand once distribution normalises in the coming weeks.
Industry analysts said the quick recovery highlights Asahi’s strong contingency planning and operational resilience but warned that the attack is a reminder of the mounting threats facing global manufacturers. “Cyber risks are now a critical vulnerability for supply chains,” one analyst noted, “and even well-prepared companies are not immune to disruption.”
