Japanese brewing giant Asahi Group Holdings has confirmed that a ransomware attack was behind the IT disruptions that forced the company to halt factory operations earlier this week.
The Tokyo-based beverage maker, Japan’s largest beer producer with over 30,000 employees, produces around 100 million hectoliters annually and owns major global brands such as Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch, and Fullers.
In a statement, Asahi said its servers were targeted in a ransomware attack, leading to system failures that disrupted order processing and shipments in Japan. While factories outside Japan remain unaffected, the company has switched to manual order processing and shipment handling due to suspended digital systems.
The company also confirmed evidence of data theft from compromised devices, though the exact scope of stolen information is still under investigation. “Subsequent investigations have confirmed traces suggesting a potential unauthorized transfer of data,” Asahi said. “We are conducting investigation to determine the nature and scope of the information that may have been subject to unauthorized transfer.”
So far, no ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the attack, suggesting that negotiations with attackers may still be ongoing, or that Asahi has declined to meet ransom demands. The company has established an Emergency Response Headquarters and is working with external cybersecurity experts to contain the damage and restore systems.
“Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. is currently experiencing a system failure caused by a cyberattack, affecting operations in Japan,” the company said, adding that it cannot yet provide a timeline for full recovery.
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With nearly $20 billion in revenue in 2024, Asahi is one of the largest beverage companies in the world.
