Japan set to run out of Asahi beer after cyber attack hits local operations
Japanese Asahi drinkers are facing a “dry” future as local operations have been disrupted by an attack on the company’s cyber systems.
Multiple factories have halted production of the popular Japanese beer after the company suspended system-based order placements and shipment processes, according to the BBC.
A September 29 ransomware attack forced Asahi to take “containment measures” – with UK news agency Metroreporting those measures have set Japan on course to run out of the flagship Super Dry lager.
Asahi confirmed the disruptions have been contained to Japan in an October 3 statement.
Although the brand was “unable to provide a clear timeline for recovery”, call centre operations are expected to resume next week, and a team is working to restore order and delivery systems.
“Ensuring product supply to customers has been set as our top priority and we have begun partial manual order processing and shipment.”
Retailers Lawson, 7-Eleven and FamilyMart have all warned that local shortages are likely to ensue.
These are expected to affect the supply of Asahi lagers, as well as a range of other food and beverage products, such as Famimaru brand teas.
Atsushi Katsuki, president and group chief executive of Asahi, said the company hopes to investigate and resolve the incident swiftly.
“We are making every effort to restore the system as quickly as possible, while implementing alternative measures to ensure continued product supply to our customers.”