Japan Faces Asahi Beer Shortage After Cyber-Attack
A major cyber-attack has brought Japan's beer industry to its knees, with Asahi Group, one of the world's largest brewers, facing a shortage of its popular products, including beer and bottled tea. According to reports from major Japanese retailers, 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, customers can expect shortages of Asahi products due to the attack.
The cyber-attack hit Asahi's ordering and delivering systems on Monday, forcing most of the company's factories in Japan to shut down. In a statement released 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 company's inability to meet demand has left retailers scrambling to inform customers about the expected shortages.
Asahi is one of Japan's largest brewers, with a significant presence in the country's beer market. The shortage is not only affecting Asahi's own products but also those of other companies that rely on its supply chain. According to an industry expert, "the impact of this cyber-attack will be felt across the entire Japanese beer industry."
The attack has raised concerns about the security of Japan's critical infrastructure and the potential for similar incidents in the future. Asahi has not disclosed any information about the nature of the attack or how it occurred.
In a statement to the BBC, 7-Eleven said: "We are working closely with our suppliers to minimize the impact on customers. However, we expect some shortages of Asahi products and will do our best to provide alternative options."
FamilyMart also released a statement saying: "We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate our customers' understanding as we work to resolve the issue."
Asahi has not commented further on the situation, but industry experts say that the company's decision to start partial manual processing of orders is a positive step towards recovery. However, it remains unclear when normal operations will resume.
The cyber-attack highlights the vulnerability of Japan's critical infrastructure and the need for companies to invest in robust security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. As one expert noted: "This incident serves as a reminder that cybersecurity threats are real and can have significant consequences for businesses and consumers alike."
In conclusion, the Asahi beer shortage is a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure. While Asahi works to recover from this setback, industry experts warn that similar incidents could occur in the future if companies do not prioritize cybersecurity.
Sources:
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 Technology and BBC Business.
