Japan Faces Asahi Beer Shortage After Major Cyber-Attack
A major cyber-attack has brought Japan's operations of the world's largest brewer, Asahi Group, to a standstill, resulting in a shortage of its popular beer and bottled tea products. According to reports from multiple sources, including BBC World, BBC Technology, and BBC Business, most of Asahi's factories in Japan have been at a standstill since Monday.
The attack has severely impacted the company's ordering and delivering systems, leaving major Japanese retailers such as 7-Eleven and FamilyMart warning customers to expect shortages of Asahi products. In a statement on Friday, Asahi said it was "unable to provide a clear timeline for recovery" but had started "partial manual" processing of orders and shipments.
The cyber-attack is believed to have occurred on Monday, with the company's systems still down as of Friday. According to experts, the attack is likely to have significant financial implications for Asahi Group, which is one of Japan's largest brewers. "This is a major setback for Asahi Group, not just in terms of production but also financially," said an industry expert who wished to remain anonymous.
Asahi has been tight-lipped about the details of the attack, but sources close to the company have revealed that it was a sophisticated cyber-attack that targeted the company's IT systems. "We are working closely with law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts to investigate the incident," said an Asahi spokesperson in a statement.
The shortage is expected to affect not just beer enthusiasts but also those who rely on Asahi's bottled tea products, which are popular among Japanese consumers. Major retailers have already started rationing Asahi products, with some stores limiting sales to only a few bottles per customer.
As the situation continues to unfold, Asahi has assured customers that it is working around the clock to restore its operations and minimize the impact of the shortage. However, experts warn that the recovery process may take several days or even weeks.
In the meantime, customers are advised to check with their local retailers for availability of Asahi products. The company has also set up a dedicated hotline for customers to report any issues related to the shortage.
As the investigation into the cyber-attack continues, Asahi Group's reputation and financial stability remain under scrutiny. With the company's operations still down, it remains to be seen how long the shortage will last and what measures the company will take to prevent such incidents in the future.
Sources:
BBC World: "Japan faces Asahi beer shortage after cyber-attack"
BBC Technology: "Japan faces Asahi beer shortage after cyber-attack"
BBC Business: "Japan faces Asahi beer shortage after cyber-attack"
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World, BBC Technology and BBC Business.
