Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. is evaluating the creation of a dedicated cybersecurity unit as production and supply chain disruptions persist, signaling growing concerns over digital resilience. The move follows weeks of operational challenges impacting key facilities.
- Asahi Group CEO Atsushi Katsuki announced plans to evaluate a new cybersecurity unit
- Estimated initial investment of ¥1.2 billion ($7.8 million) for the unit
- Production shortfalls of 12% in Q4 due to ongoing disruptions
- Two major manufacturing plants in Osaka and Nagoya affected
- ASAI.JP shares declined 1.8% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange
- Cyber incidents linked to third-party vendors remain unconfirmed but suspected
Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., operator of Japan’s largest beer brand, is considering a structural shift to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure, according to a statement from CEO Atsushi Katsuki. The proposed unit would focus on real-time threat monitoring, incident response, and infrastructure hardening across its manufacturing and distribution networks, which have experienced repeated disruptions since late November. The company has not disclosed specific financial outlays, but internal assessments suggest the new unit could require capital investment of approximately ¥1.2 billion ($7.8 million) in its first year. This includes personnel recruitment, software licensing, and integration with existing IT systems. The initiative comes amid a series of unconfirmed cyber incidents linked to third-party vendors, which have slowed output at two major brewing plants in Osaka and Nagoya. Shares of Asahi Group (ASAI.JP) dropped 1.8% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange following the announcement, reflecting investor concern over potential earnings pressure. The company has not issued a formal earnings warning, but production shortfalls are estimated to reduce Q4 output by 12% compared to the same period last year. The impact is particularly acute in regional distribution channels, with some retailers reporting delayed deliveries. The move underscores broader risks in industrial supply chains, where digital vulnerabilities are increasingly tied to physical operations. Asahi joins other Japanese consumer staples firms in reassessing their cyber defenses, especially in light of rising ransomware activity targeting manufacturing systems globally.