Japanese Beer Giant Asahi Falls Victim to Cyberattack

Asahi, Japan’s biggest brewer, says a cyberattack has knocked out parts of its systems, forcing a halt to shipping and customer service at home.

The company said there’s no evidence customer data was stolen, and its European businesses, including the UK, are running normally. But in Japan, orders and deliveries are on hold while technicians work to bring systems back online.

Asahi isn’t just a domestic name. It owns global beer brands like Peroni, Pilsner Urquell and Grolsch. In Britain it runs Fuller’s, the London brewery behind London Pride, as well as Cornish Orchards cider and craft label Dark Star.

“We are investigating the cause and working to restore operations,” the company said in a statement. “At this time, we cannot provide a timeline for recovery.” It apologized to customers and partners, stressing that the disruption is limited to Japan.

Roughly half of Asahi’s sales come from its home market. The brewer had warned in last year’s annual report that cyberattacks were one of the most serious risks it faced, citing the potential for lost revenue, business disruption and damage to its reputation.

The case follows a run of cyber incidents hitting well-known UK companies, including Harrods, Jaguar Land Rover, Marks & Spencer and the Co-op.

Asahi also faces a longer-term challenge: younger Japanese drinkers are consuming less alcohol. CEO Atsushi Katsuki said last year the group aims to double sales of low- and no-alcohol drinks to one-fifth of its beverage business.