Japan Faces Asahi Beer Shortage After Cyber-Attack
A major cyber-attack has left Japan facing a shortage of Asahi products, including beer and bottled tea, as the drinks giant struggles to recover from the disruption. According to sources, most of the Asahi Group's factories in Japan have been at a standstill since Monday, after the attack hit its ordering and delivering systems.
Major Japanese retailers, including 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, have warned 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 company's inability to provide a specific timeframe for the restoration of its operations has raised concerns among consumers and retailers alike.
Asahi is one of the world's largest brewers, with a significant presence in Japan. The cyber-attack is believed to have been sophisticated, targeting the company's critical systems and disrupting its supply chain. According to Asahi's statement, the attack was not limited to its Japanese operations but also affected other regions where it has a presence.
The impact of the shortage is already being felt across Japan. Major retailers are bracing themselves for the consequences of the disruption, with some warning that customers may have to wait longer than usual for their favorite Asahi products. "We're doing our best to minimize the impact on our customers," said a spokesperson for 7-Eleven, "but we expect shortages of Asahi products in the coming days."
Asahi's decision to start partial manual processing of orders and shipments is seen as a positive step by experts. "It shows that the company is taking proactive measures to mitigate the damage caused by the cyber-attack," said Dr. Kenji Ito, a cybersecurity expert at Tokyo University. However, he warned that the recovery process would take time and required careful planning.
The current status of Asahi's operations remains uncertain, with the company refusing to provide a specific timeline for the restoration of its services. According to sources, the company is working closely with law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts to investigate the attack and prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the situation unfolds, consumers are advised to check with their local retailers for availability of Asahi products. In the meantime, Asahi has assured customers that it will do everything possible to minimize the impact of the shortage and restore its operations as soon as possible.
Attribution:
Sources: BBC Technology and BBC Business
Experts: Dr. Kenji Ito, cybersecurity expert at Tokyo University
This story was compiled from reports by BBC Technology and BBC Business.
