BBC (October 11)
“Asahi, the maker of Japan’s best-selling beer, was forced to halt production at most of its 30 factories in the country at the end of last month after being hit by a cyber-attack.” The brewer’s facilities in Japan have partially reopened although “its computer systems are still down.” The attack marked “the latest in a series of cyber-attacks… that have hit major firms around the world.” Recent Japanese victims include a container terminal in Nagoya and Japan Airlines. The nation may be particularly vulnerable. “While Japan’s image around the world may be of a technologically advanced nation, some experts have warned it does not have enough cybersecurity professionals and has low rates of digital literacy when it comes to business software.”
Tags: 30 factories, Asahi, Beer, Computer systems, Container terminal, Cyber-attack, Digital literacy, JAL, Japan, Nagoya, Production, Professionals, Reopened, Software, Vulnerable
Star Tribune (February 21)
Hit by higher costs for barley, a can shortage and soaring shipping costs, “even the world’s largest beer manufacturers are passing on their higher costs to consumers.” Up to now, “consumers have taken it in stride. Just as higher grocery bills are offset by dining out less, a bigger tab at liquor stores is being absorbed by a lack of travel and entertainment expenses.” Even so, there are worries we may be reaching a turning point where consumption will fall.
Tags: Barley, Beer, Can, Consumers, Dining out, Entertainment, Groceries, Higher costs, Manufacturers, Shipping, Shortage, Soaring, Travel, Turning-point
The Economist (August 19)
China has already become the world’s biggest beer market. Moreover, it’s growing at a rapid annual rate of 10%. The Economist feels China is a market with “huge potential.” Per capita figures make the potential obvious. Annually, China consumes 31 liters of beer per person versus 49 in Japan, 79 in the U.S. and a whopping 161 in the Czech Republic.
Tags: Beer, China, Japan, U.S. Czech Republic
