Cyberattack Disrupts Japan's Food Supply, KFC and Sushi Chain Face Shortages

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Tokyo: A cyberattack on a logistics supplier providing Japanese food giant Nichirei has affected food delivery across the country, prompting major restaurant chains such as KFC Japan and conveyor-belt sushi operator Kura Sushi to alert consumers to potential shortages. The incident has disrupted the distribution of frozen and refrigerated food, creating concerns about temporary supply shortages.

KFC Japan said delayed chicken shipments could result in limited menu offerings or temporary closures at some outlets if supplies fail to arrive on time. Kura Sushi also experienced delays in getting ingredients at some restaurants, mainly in western Japan, and stated that some menu items may be unavailable until deliveries resume.

The disruption has spread outside restaurants, with supermarkets, bakers, candy producers, and elderly care facilities reporting delays in deliveries. According to industry analysts, the incident points out the increased susceptibility of food supply chains to hackers, as a single disruption in logistics can have a widespread impact on businesses and customers.

Nichirei admitted that the disruption was caused by unauthorised access to its logistics systems and stated that it had isolated affected systems while collaborating with cybersecurity experts to restore operations. The company anticipates services to progressively recover beginning July 17, however investigations into the source of the attack and the extent of the damage are still ongoing.