Asahi Aims for February Normalcy Post Cyber Incident

Following a significant cyberattack at the end of September, Japan’s Asahi Group is working to restore its logistics systems by February.

Famous worldwide for its Super Dry beer, Asahi confirmed that the attack on September 29 halted critical operations like order processing and shipping. The disruption led to noticeable shortages in restaurants, bars, and retail outlets across Japan, demonstrating the attack's extensive effects.

The beverage company disclosed that personal information of approximately 1.52 million customers could have been affected along with data associated with around 114,000 business contacts and the records of 275,000 current and former employees and their families. So far, there’s been no evidence that any of this information has appeared online.

Production at six plants resumed a week after the incident, yet the effects lingered into October, causing a 10% to 40% drop in sales in its primary beverage and food segments compared to the same month last year.

The ransomware group Qilin claimed responsibility for the cyberattack in early October, prompting the company to postpone its financial reporting timetable. Full-year financial results for the year ending December 31, 2025, will now be released over 50 days after the fiscal year concludes, while third-quarter earnings, initially expected on November 12, have been delayed by more than 45 days.

Despite these challenges, Asahi remains committed to recovery and is focused on stabilizing its supply chains to avert further product shortages in the domestic market.