Asahi Resumes Beer Production in Japan Following Cyber-Attack Disruption

News Desk">

asahi Breweries Recovers From Cyberattack, Restores Production Amidst Supply Concerns

October 6, 2025

Tokyo, Japan – Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. is steadily bringing its brewing and production facilities back online following a significant cyberattack that paralyzed operations across Japan. The disruption, which began last week, led to warnings from major retailers like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart about potential beer shortages, notably of the popular Asahi Super Dry.

Cyberattack Disrupts Supply Chain

The cyber incident impacted Asahi’s ordering and delivery systems, forcing a temporary shutdown of all six of its breweries in Japan. While production systems at the plants themselves remained unaffected,the inability to process orders brought output to a standstill. This highlights a growing vulnerability in modern supply chains, where reliance on digital infrastructure can create single points of failure. According to a recent report by Cybersecurity ventures, global cybercrime damages are predicted to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, emphasizing the increasing financial risk posed by these attacks.

Gradual Restoration of Operations

Asahi has now partially restarted production at all its Japanese breweries, with a focus on its flagship Asahi Super Dry. The company is also progressively resuming output at its food and soft drink facilities. However, officials caution that operations are not yet running at full capacity. Currently, two soft drink factories have partially resumed, with five additional plants expected to follow suit as shipments normalize. All seven of Asahi’s food production plants have been brought back online,albeit also at reduced capacity.

Production Focus and Product Resumption

Initially, breweries are prioritizing the production of Asahi Super Dry. As of October 15th, the company anticipates resuming shipments of 16 products, including non-alcoholic alternatives like Asahi Dry Zero and Asahi Zero, alongside Clear Asahi and Black Nikka Clear whiskey. Unfortunately, some planned product launches have been postponed as a result of the disruption.

Did you Know? Cyberattacks targeting industrial control systems increased by 34% between 2022 and 2023, according to a report from Claroty.

Global Impact and Industry Concerns

While the cyberattack primarily affected Asahi’s Japanese operations, which account for approximately half of its total sales, the incident has raised broader concerns within the beverage industry. Asahi Group owns a portfolio of global brands, including Fullers in the UK, Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch. Industry experts note that the attack underscores the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures across the entire supply chain. A similar incident recently impacted Jaguar Land Rover, demonstrating a broader trend of cyberattacks targeting major corporations.

Area of Impact	current Status
Breweries (Japan)	Partially Restarted (all 6)
Soft Drink Factories	2 Partially Restarted, 5 to Follow
Food Plants	All 7 Restarted (limited capacity)
Product Shipments	Limited to Super Dry initially, expanding Oct 15th

Pro Tip: Businesses should regularly update their cybersecurity protocols, including firewall protection, intrusion detection systems, and employee training, to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the increasing threat of cyberattacks and the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures for businesses of all sizes. Asahi’s response and recovery efforts will be closely watched by industry peers looking to strengthen their own defenses.

What steps do you think companies should prioritize to protect against cyberattacks? How concerned are you about the security of your favorite brands’ supply chains?

Understanding the Rising Threat of Cyberattacks

Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent, targeting businesses across all sectors. From ransomware attacks to data breaches, the potential consequences can be devastating, including financial losses, reputational damage, and disruption to operations. Investing in robust cybersecurity infrastructure and employee training is no longer optional but a necessity for any organization operating in the digital age.

Frequently Asked questions

• What caused the Asahi cyberattack? the specific cause of the cyberattack is still under inquiry, but it impacted Asahi’s ordering and delivery systems.
• Will there be a long-term beer shortage? Asahi is working to restore full production capacity, but some disruptions may continue in the short term.
• Are other Asahi products affected besides beer? Yes, the cyberattack also impacted production of Asahi’s soft drinks and food products.
• What is Asahi doing to prevent future attacks? The company is reviewing and enhancing its cybersecurity protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
• How does this cyberattack compare to others in the industry? This attack is part of a growing trend of cyberattacks targeting major corporations, including recent incidents at Jaguar Land Rover

Share this article with your network and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

What specific containment measures did Asahi Group holdings initiate upon detecting unauthorized network access on september 27, 2025?

Timeline of the Asahi Cyber incident & Recovery

Asahi Group Holdings, one of Japan’s leading beverage companies, has officially resumed full beer production at its facilities across the country as of October 6, 2025. This follows a important disruption caused by a sophisticated cyberattack that impacted its IT systems in late September 2025. The incident initially halted beer shipments, causing concerns about potential shortages during peak demand.

Here’s a breakdown of the key events:

* September 27, 2025: Asahi detected unauthorized access to its network. Immediate containment measures were initiated, including isolating affected systems.

* September 28-29, 2025: Production and shipping of beer were suspended as a precautionary measure.The company confirmed that customer data was not directly compromised, but internal systems were affected. Initial reports indicated a ransomware attack, though this was not officially confirmed by Asahi.

* October 1-5, 2025: Asahi worked around the clock with cybersecurity experts to restore systems and verify the integrity of its production lines. Partial production resumed at some facilities, prioritizing key brands.

* october 6, 2025: Full beer production and distribution are back online across all Asahi breweries in Japan.

Impact on Beer Supply & distribution

The temporary shutdown of Asahi’s production facilities raised concerns about potential beer shortages in Japan, particularly ahead of autumn festivals and the year-end holiday season.While the disruption was relatively short-lived, it highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cybersecurity threats.

* affected Brands: The disruption impacted a wide range of Asahi brands, including Super Dry, the company’s flagship beer, and also other popular brews and non-alcoholic beverages.

* Retail Response: Major retailers and distributors reported experiencing temporary stock limitations, but proactively managed inventory to minimize impact on consumers.

* Choice Sourcing: Some bars and restaurants temporarily switched to alternative beer brands to maintain supply.

Cybersecurity Measures & Investigation Details

Asahi Group Holdings has been tight-lipped about the specifics of the cyberattack,citing ongoing investigations. However, they have confirmed that they are cooperating with law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity firms to determine the root cause and prevent future incidents.

* Forensic analysis: A thorough forensic analysis is underway to identify the vulnerabilities exploited by the attackers and assess the extent of the damage.

* Enhanced Security Protocols: Asahi is implementing enhanced cybersecurity measures, including:

* Strengthened firewall protection.

* Improved intrusion detection systems.

* Enhanced employee training on phishing and other cyber threats.

* Regular security audits and penetration testing.

* Data backup & Recovery: The company emphasized the importance of robust data backup and recovery procedures, which played a crucial role in restoring operations.

Industry-Wide Implications & Lessons Learned

The Asahi cyberattack serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat landscape facing the food and beverage industry. Supply chain security is increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, and companies must prioritize cybersecurity investments to protect their operations.

* Increased Cyber Risk in Manufacturing: the manufacturing sector, including food and beverage production, is a prime target for cybercriminals due to its reliance on complex IT systems and operational technology (OT).

* Importance of Incident Response Plans: Having a well-defined incident response plan is critical for minimizing the impact of a cyberattack. Asahi’s swift action to contain the breach and restore operations demonstrates the value of preparedness.

* Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: the incident highlights the interconnectedness of supply chains and the potential for disruptions to cascade across multiple businesses. Companies need to assess the cybersecurity posture of their suppliers and partners.

* Ransomware Trends: While not confirmed in this case, ransomware attacks are a growing threat to businesses