Japan Declares Cyber Emergency After Wave of Attacks
Japan's ruling party convened its National Cybersecurity Office as at least 53 companies were hit by ransomware, with over 6 million customer records potentially compromised.
Japan has declared a state of emergency in cyberspace and its ruling Liberal Democratic Party called an emergency meeting of its National Cybersecurity Office in response to a wave of cyberattacks on key companies, according to the Financial Times.
At least 53 companies in Japan have been hit by a ransomware attack, according to Japan's National Police Agency via Kyodo News. Bookoff Group and East Japan Railway Company confirmed they were hacked, with over 6 million customer records potentially compromised.
Japan's financial services regulator also warned banks not to accept driver's licenses as proof of identity for new accounts after Times Car was hacked and digital images of IDs were stolen.
South Korea is reportedly facing a similar wave of attacks on financial institutions and churches. CrowdStrike published a report claiming the attacks on South Korea were likely performed by a Chinese-developed AI agent using Anthropic's Claude Code.
Japan's Longstanding Vulnerabilities
InCyber News reported last year on Japan's vulnerability to cyberattacks, driven by outdated IT systems and chronic underinvestment in cybersecurity defenses.
Quick answers
How many companies in Japan have been hit by ransomware?
At least 53 companies in Japan have been hit by a ransomware attack, according to Japan's National Police Agency via Kyodo News.
Which companies confirmed they were hacked?
Bookoff Group and East Japan Railway Company confirmed they were hacked, with over 6 million customer records potentially compromised.
What did CrowdStrike say about the South Korea attacks?
CrowdStrike published a report claiming the attacks on South Korea were likely performed by a Chinese-developed AI agent using Anthropic's Claude Code.