What happened to Asahi, Japan's top beer brand?

Asahi, Japan's leading beer brand, was hit by a crippling ransomware attack that forced the company to halt production at most of its 30 factories nationwide, leading to shortages of popular Asahi products.

How did the Asahi cyberattack expose Japan's cybersecurity weaknesses?

The impact of the ransomware attack on Asahi highlighted the vulnerabilities and lack of preparedness among Japanese corporations when it comes to defending against such cyber threats. Experts say Japan's shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals and low digital literacy rates have contributed to the country's cybersecurity challenges.

What steps is the Japanese government taking to address the growing threat of cyberattacks?

In response to the Asahi incident and growing concerns about cybercrime, the Japanese government has recently passed a new cybersecurity law and established a National Cybersecurity Office to oversee the country's cyber defense strategy. However, the Asahi attack serves as a wake-up call, underscoring the urgent need for companies and the government to further strengthen their cybersecurity measures.

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Ransomware Attack Cripples Japan's Top Beer Brand, Exposing Cybersecurity Gaps

8 Oct

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Summary

Asahi, Japan's top beer brand, hit by crippling ransomware attack
Production halted at most of Asahi's 30 factories nationwide
Cyberattack spotlights poor cybersecurity readiness among top Japanese firms

On October 9, 2025, a crippling ransomware attack has struck Asahi, Japan's favorite beer brand. The cyberattack has forced the company to halt production at most of its 30 factories nationwide, leading to shortages of the popular Asahi Super Dry beer and other Asahi products in convenience stores across the country.

The ransomware group Qilin has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it has stolen around 27 gigabytes of Asahi's data, including budget, contracts, and personal information. While Asahi has resumed operations at all six of its alcohol factories, it remains unclear when the company's production and shipment will return to full capacity.

Cybersecurity experts say the impact of the hack underscores the vulnerabilities and lack of preparedness among Japanese corporations, particularly when it comes to ransomware attacks. Japan, despite its technological prowess, has been grappling with a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals and low digital literacy rates among its aging population. The government has recently taken steps to strengthen the country's cybersecurity measures, but the Asahi attack serves as a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done.

As the investigation into the Asahi incident continues, the incident has sparked renewed concerns about the growing threat of cyberattacks in Japan and the urgent need for companies to prioritize robust cybersecurity measures to protect their operations and data.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.