A cyberattack on one of Japan's largest refrigerated warehouse operators has disrupted the supply of ice cream, fast food and supermarket products across the country, according to Business Today. The attack targeted Nichirei, the nation's leading frozen food supplier and refrigerated warehouse operator, affecting companies including Ezaki Glico, KFC Japan, and Kura Sushi.
Impact on Ezaki Glico and Other Food Companies
Ezaki Glico, maker of popular snacks such as Pocky, said on Wednesday that shipments of some of its ice cream products had been delayed after the cyberattack hit its logistics partner. Business Today reported that Glico did not disclose the financial impact, but local media indicated that up to 20% of its ice cream products had been affected. The company said it was using alternative supply arrangements to minimise disruptions, particularly in western Japan, where demand remains high during the summer heat.
KFC Japan warned that some restaurants could face shortages, which may force temporary menu changes or even store closures. Kura Sushi, a conveyor belt sushi chain, said some of its outlets in western Japan were experiencing delays in receiving products. According to local media, major supermarket chains, pastry manufacturers, and even dining halls at elderly care centres have also been affected.
Timeline and Scope of the Attack
Nichirei said on Tuesday that a cyberattack had disrupted the operations of its subsidiaries, including product deliveries. The company plans to gradually restore services from July 17, according to Business Today. The disruption cascaded across multiple sectors, illustrating the concentrated risk when a single logistics provider handles critical cold-chain operations.
| Affected Entity | Reported Impact |
|---|---|
| Ezaki Glico | Delayed ice cream shipments; up to 20% of products affected (local media) |
| KFC Japan | Potential shortages, possible menu changes or store closures |
| Kura Sushi | Delivery delays at western Japan outlets |
| Major supermarkets, pastry makers, elderly care dining halls | Disruptions reported (local media) |
Previous Cyberattacks on Japanese Companies
This incident is the latest in a series of cyberattacks targeting major Japanese companies. Business Today reported that in 2025, beer maker Asahi suffered a ransomware attack that disrupted its operations for months and forced the company to process orders manually. Russian-linked hacker group Qilin later claimed responsibility for that attack, according to Japanese media.
Similarly, retail brand Muji suspended online shopping services in Japan after its delivery partner Askul was hit by a ransomware attack.
Government Response and Cybersecurity Implications
Japanese government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said the attack highlighted the need for companies to keep their computer systems updated to strengthen cybersecurity, as reported by Business Today. For enterprise technology decision-makers, this incident underscores the critical importance of supply chain cybersecurity — especially when third-party logistics providers manage temperature-sensitive goods. The concentration of risk in a single cold-chain operator can rapidly cascade across multiple industries, from ice cream to fast food to elderly care.
Nichirei's restoration timeline of July 17 provides a short-term recovery target, but the broader lesson for CTOs and supply chain technology managers is the need for redundant logistics partners and robust cybersecurity audits for all vendors handling time-sensitive deliveries. As ransomware attacks increasingly target infrastructure providers, the cost of disruption extends beyond direct financial loss to brand reputation and customer trust.
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