Japan is Running Out of Its Favorite Beer After Ransomware Attack (arstechnica.com)
- Reference: 0179630546
- News link: https://slashdot.org/story/25/10/02/1559205/japan-is-running-out-of-its-favorite-beer-after-ransomware-attack
- Source link: https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/10/japan-is-running-out-of-its-favorite-beer-after-ransomware-attack/
> The vast majority of Asahi Group's 30 factories in Japan have not operated since Monday after the attack disabled its ordering and delivery system, the company said. Retailers are already expecting empty shelves as the outage stretches into its fourth day with no clear timeline for factories recommencing operations. Super Dry could also run out at izakaya pubs, which rely on draught and bottles.
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> Lawson, one of Japan's big convenience stores, said in a statement that it stocks many Asahi Group products and "it is possible that some of these products may become increasingly out of stock from tomorrow onwards." "This is having an impact on everyone," said an executive at another of Japan's major retailers. "I think we will run out of products soon. When it comes to Super Dry, I think we'll run out in two or three days at supermarkets and Asahi's food products within a week or so."
[1] https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/10/japan-is-running-out-of-its-favorite-beer-after-ransomware-attack/
Why the shutdown? (Score:3)
The problem is with the ordering and delivery system, not production. Lawson is a huge customer. Why can't Asahi just make one phone call to Lawson to ask for what deliveries Lawson wants at its stores. Let Lawson figure out what deliveries to order and just send over one big spreadsheet with the orders for their almost 15,000 stores. Does it really take more than four days to figure out this type of emergency delivery? I wonder if this is related to how the Japanese are extremely meticulous in their procedures and how that strict adherence to protocol might introduce inflexibility that may be debilitating in an emergency.
Re: (Score:2)
It is way more complicated than that. Thirty production sites, each with their own inventory and production rate have to be coordinated with hundreds of delivery locations. Sure it could all be done with a spreadsheet. If fact, it probably is, which is the problem when you cannot get to the spreadsheet. Recreating from scratch is a much bigger problem, even assuming that you can get the data (locations, amounts needed etc.) in a reasonable time.
Re: (Score:2)
I'm surprised that they expose their whole ordering and distribution system. Customers need to be able to send in orders, but they could do that on a machine that does nothing but collect orders. Once a day (or more often if necessary) an employee plugs a thumb drive into this machine, copies the data file, checks that it is in the correct format and doesn't contain anything it shouldn't, and transfers it to the machine that handles accounting, deciding which factory to send the beer from, etc.
Re: (Score:2)
In the article, it says just that:
*On Wednesday, Asahi trialled using paper-based systems to process orders and deliveries in a small-scale trial and it is in the process of figuring out whether to proceed with more manual-style deliveries.*
It should be noted that with complex ERP (Enterprise Resource and Planning) systems combined with JIT (Just in Time) manufacturing means that not only taking of orders and the making of deliveries is disrupted, but the process of procuring beer precursors, this is from f
Next time don't call it Super Dry (Score:2)
No wonder it is running out.
From... (Score:2)
... [1]a pub with no beer [youtube.com], to a country with no beer!
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bIJV8gaBK4
Battlestar Galactica had it right (sorta) (Score:3)
Do not network critical systems.
But if you do, practice network segmentation to make sure they're firewalled from one another to resist or completely prevent lateral movement.
While inefficient, air-gapped critical control systems gave the Battlestar a good security posture against software that excels at lateral movement. Physical Access control and (some) auditing prevented most malware, esp those originating from communication systems from spreading into ship control/navigation, engine management, life support, viper launch control, DRADIS (Direction, RAnge, and DIStance), and etc.
Even though the CNP Program was downloaded to the Galactica's Navigation system, because the software required complete integration with all internal systems, it was never able to fully install due to Galactica's special no-network configuration.
I'm a Sapporo man myself.... (Score:2)
...but this could be a national emergency. I mean, I can wait to buy a new Land Rover Jaguar, but I gotta have my beer......
-m
Tough Schlitz! (Score:1)
A ransomware attack closed down the Coop grocery stores and gas stations across western Canada for several weeks last year.
[1]https://www.ckom.com/2024/07/1... [ckom.com]
[1] https://www.ckom.com/2024/07/15/expert-says-co-op-cyber-attack-was-likely-a-ransomware-case/
Not written by a beer drinker. (Score:2)
I just grab the next 6-pack as long as it isn't from Anheuser-Busch.
i want to go to an izakaya (Score:1)
mystia's izakaya is a wonderful game! ive never had beer in my life though it grosses me out; ill only drink wines and fruit drinks and vodka etc
Another one bites the dust (Score:2)
You have to be really incompetent and disconnected to not be prepared for a ransomware attack these days. Zero fucks given, they essentially did it to themselves. And no, it is not "victim blaming" when the threat was well-known for quite a while.
Re: (Score:2)
well, they call asahi "beer", and consume it at prices of old wine (bold exaggeration for fun). should tell you something (about us influence).
now, japanese are incredibly efficient, dedicated and sophisticated, in most if not all aspects of life. i doubt you find that same work ethics (and ethics in general) anywhere in the world. however, if you manage to throw a wrench into that machine .... you're in for some hilarity.
Re: (Score:2)
Well, I guess some people there now have a ton of beer on their faces, because Japanese IT security experts will just be as unsurprised as any others.
On the matter of their product, I would say Asahi is somewhat drinkable, especially when the alternatives are American "beer". Obviously, individual preferences apply.
Re: (Score:3)
about individual preferences, asahi is super drinkable along a bowl of hot spicy ramen (for anything else, warm average quality table sake is perfect). if consumed alone, just give me the strongest and thickest beer you got, and don't worry a bit about the temperature, any will do. weissbier will always do the trick. that's what i'm having just now, btw, in case it wasn't evident ...
Re: (Score:2)
> weissbier will always do the trick. that's what i'm having just now, btw, in case it wasn't evident ...
Cheers! I envy you a bit there. I had to stop drinking Weissbier because it had some uncomfortable health effects.