A cyberattack on Asahi Group, Japan’s leading beer producer, has disrupted shipments from its breweries, raising concerns about potential shortages. The company, which produces Japan’s most popular beers, including Asahi Super Dry, announced on Monday that it had experienced a system failure due to the cyberattack, forcing the suspension of orders and shipments of various beverages.
According to a spokesperson, there is currently no timeline for the recovery of the system, and ordinary shipments remain halted. While production has not been directly affected by the system dysfunction, it has been halted due to the suspension of shipments. The company is investigating the possibility of a ransomware attack, which has significant implications for the company’s operations and customers.
The disruption is likely to impact Japan’s convenience stores, which are major stockists of Asahi beer. A spokesperson for Seven & I Holdings, which operates the 7-11 convenience store chain, stated that the company is preparing to inform customers about the suspension, but noted that it has not yet caused major disruptions. However, the situation is being closely monitored, as the availability of Asahi drinks may vary depending on sales at individual outlets.
Asahi Group’s shares have declined by almost seven percent since the news broke, reflecting investor concerns about the impact of the cyberattack on the company’s operations. The incident comes after a similar cyberattack halted operations at Jaguar Land Rover’s British factories for nearly a month, resulting in significant disruptions to sales and production.
The attack on Asahi Group highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks on businesses, particularly in the manufacturing and production sectors. As the company works to resolve the issue, consumers and businesses are bracing for potential shortages and disruptions to the supply chain. With the situation still unfolding, it remains to be seen how quickly Asahi Group can recover from the cyberattack and restore normal operations.
