Japan’s beer lovers face dry spell as Asahi cyberattack disrupts supply chain
The Asahi Super Dry maker had to halt production at some of its factories after a cyberattack hobbled its ordering and delivery system
Shoppers at some 7-Eleven stores are seeing notices that shipments of the country’s most popular beer, as well as other Asahi products like Mitsuya Cider soda and Seven Premium Clear Cooler, have been suspended.
That is as Lawson and FamilyMart warned that products from Asahi, which also offers food and other beverages, might become scarce starting from Friday.
The disruption underscores how Japan’s food and drink sector depends on intricate logistical and digital supply chains, where a single cyberattack can ripple from factory floors to convenience store shelves.
Lawson warned on Wednesday that “it is possible that some of these products may become increasingly out of stock from tomorrow onwards”.
“This is having an impact on everyone,” an executive at another of Japan’s major retailers said. “I think we will run out of products soon. When it comes to Super Dry, I think we’ll run out in two or three days at supermarkets and Asahi’s food products within a week or so.”