Asahi cyberattack may leave beer fans high and dry

Nothing ruins a buzz like a ransomware attack. Japan is on the verge of running out of its most popular beer, Asahi Super Dry, after Asahi announced on Monday that a cyberattack caused its systems to fail.

Days later, Japan’s biggest brewery is still experiencing disruptions in its shipping and customer service operations.

A crisis brewing

Asahi said its data may also have been stolen in the attack. A company spokesperson told Agence France-Presse on Friday, “No immediate recovery of our system is in sight.” That could leave a bitter taste in the mouths of customers and investors:

• Bars and stores are already running low on Asahi products, which include beer, whisky, and tea.
• The company’s stock, listed on the Tokyo exchange, fell ~12% this week, according to Bloomberg.
• Asahi, which means “rising sun,” also risks being eclipsed in the fiercely competitive Japanese beer market by rivals Kirin, Sapporo, and Suntory.

Beyond beer: Cyberattacks are a growing concern in Japan. There were a record 116 ransomware cases reported in the first six months of 2025, Bloomberg reported, citing the National Police Agency.

Zoom out: The problem is global. In the UK, luxury automaker Jaguar Land Rover and retailers Marks & Spencer and the Co-op Group have all been victims of high-profile cyberattacks this year.