Asahi Group Aims for Full Recovery by February Post Cyberattack

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Following a significant cyberattack on September 29, Japan’s Asahi Group is striving to return its nationwide logistics to normal by February. The incident has led to widespread disruptions across its operations.

Known internationally for its Super Dry beer, Asahi reported that the cyber incident hampered crucial functions such as order processing, shipping, and customer service. Consequently, restaurants and retailers across Japan experienced shortages of Asahi products, underscoring the reach of this crisis.

The company disclosed that the personal information of 1.52 million customers was potentially compromised, alongside data connected to approximately 114,000 business contacts and around 275,000 current and former employees and their families. Currently, none of this information has appeared on the internet.

Production at six of its factories resumed within a week, but the repercussions have been felt throughout October, with sales across key beverage and food sectors declining by 10% to 40% compared to the previous year.

The attack, attributed to the ransomware group Qilin in early October, also caused delays in the company’s financial reporting. Full-year results for the period ending December 31, 2025, will now be published more than 50 days post-fiscal year-end. Third-quarter earnings, originally set for November 12, have also been postponed by over 45 days.

Despite these challenges, Asahi is making progress in its recovery initiatives, aiming to stabilize supply chains and mitigate further shortages in the domestic market.