Japan faces a new cybersecurity challenge
Japan is confronting a sharp rise in cyber threats as artificial intelligence makes it easier for attackers to identify weaknesses, overcome language barriers and launch large-scale operations. In an interview conducted by Japanese broadcaster TBS News23, the international ransomware group Qilin described Japan as one of the countries with the weakest computer security in the world and warned that attacks against Japanese companies and government institutions could increase.
The group’s comments should be treated as the claims of a criminal organization, not as an independent assessment. However, they arrive amid a series of cyber incidents affecting businesses, public services and supply chains across Japan. Experts say the incidents highlight the need for stronger basic security, faster information sharing and greater preparedness among organizations of every size.
Recent incidents disrupt business and public services
Nissui, one of Japan’s major frozen-food companies, recently said that a logistics subsidiary had suffered unauthorized access, causing system disruptions. The company reported that it was temporarily unable to ship or receive products, demonstrating how a cyberattack can affect physical distribution and everyday life—not only computer networks.
Sompo Japan also announced that an external contractor had experienced unauthorized access, potentially exposing information connected to approximately 60,000 individuals. In another incident, the website of Ibaraki Prefecture became unavailable after a cyberattack affected the IDCF Cloud service provided by IDC Frontier, a SoftBank subsidiary.
According to IDC Frontier, the cloud disruption affected 495 companies and local governments using the service. The incident raised particular concern because government websites may be essential during natural disasters, when residents need access to evacuation information, weather updates and emergency guidance. For foreign residents in Japan, who may already depend heavily on online multilingual information, such outages can create an additional barrier during emergencies.
Qilin’s claims and the investigation into a suspected member
Qilin is known internationally for ransomware attacks, including an attack on Asahi Breweries in 2025. Japanese media have reported that a 28-year-old Russian national believed to be a central member of the group was detained in Osaka and transferred to German authorities.
When TBS News23 requested comment about the detention, Qilin reportedly responded with a lengthy statement. The group said it could not confirm whether the detained man was one of its members, while also refusing to deny the possibility. It claimed to cooperate with more than 300 people whose identities are unknown because communications take place anonymously online. The group also criticized investigators and alleged that there was insufficient evidence, claims that require verification through the legal process.
Takayuki Sugiura, head of the Japan Hacker Association, said the statement may offer an important indication of the scale of the organization’s network. He described Qilin as potentially one of the world’s largest cybercrime groups, although the exact number and structure of its participants remain difficult to independently confirm.
Why Japan may be attracting more attention
Japanese companies have historically benefited from the relative difficulty of conducting attacks in Japanese, as many global criminal operations focused on English-speaking targets. Analysts now warn that AI translation, automated vulnerability scanning and increasingly capable coding tools are reducing that advantage.
Masahiro Nakagawa, an AI and technology journalist for TBS CROSS DIG, said AI could allow attackers to discover weaknesses and conduct operations on a much larger scale. He also discussed the growing availability of models that can be downloaded and run on private computers or servers. Unlike cloud-based systems with provider safeguards, locally operated models may be harder to monitor and restrict. There is not yet conclusive evidence that recent attacks in Japan were conducted using Chinese-developed AI, but experts say such tools could influence future threats.
Preparing for AI-assisted attacks
The discussion does not mean that an autonomous AI system is about to destroy humanity. Researchers continue to point to major practical limits, including the need for computing resources, access to physical systems and control over supply chains. Nevertheless, AI-assisted cybercrime is a realistic and urgent concern.
Japan’s response will require more than expensive software. Organizations should strengthen multi-factor authentication, protect backups, update systems promptly, monitor contractors and rehearse emergency recovery plans. Government agencies and private companies also need clearer channels for sharing threat information. Japan’s highly connected economy, advanced manufacturing sector and aging infrastructure make resilience especially important. The country’s reputation for reliability can be protected—but only through sustained investment, cooperation and preparation for a rapidly changing digital threat.
