Shoppers in Japan are bracing for a shortage of Asahi beer and bottled teas after the brewing giant was forced to halt most of its domestic operations following a cyber-attack.

Asahi confirmed that a major disruption to its ordering and delivery systems had left most of its factories idle since Monday, cutting off supply to major convenience chains. FamilyMart said Asahi had suspended orders and shipments: “with no prospect of resumption,” adding that its popular Famimaru bottled teas would be among the products in short supply.

According to media reports the attack disabled the company's delivery and ordering systems, meaning it could not process or deliver orders.

The impact is already being felt across Japan’s largest retailers. 7-Eleven has stopped shipments of Asahi goods, including the flagship Super Dry beer, while Lawson has warned that some lines will be unavailable from today and is looking to stock alternatives. Life Cooperation, a major supermarket group, also cautioned customers that Asahi products could soon vanish from shelves.

Asahi also owns major international brands such as Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch, and the United Kingdom's Fuller’s. The company said the disruption was limited to its domestic operations, with its European businesses unaffected. It stressed that no customer data had been leaked and that an investigation into the cause of the attack was under way.

With no timeline yet for recovery, analysts warn the shortage could weigh heavily on Japan’s retail sector and highlight the growing vulnerability of major manufacturers to cyber threats.