By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS
Japan’s largest mobile carrier, NTT Docomo, is racing to restore services after a massive cyberattack disrupted operations on Thursday.
The Tokyo-based company confirmed that a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack overwhelmed its network, causing outages across various platforms, including its news site, video streaming service, mobile payments, webmail, and a golf enthusiasts’ portal.
While most services were restored, some content updates remained delayed. NTT Docomo has not yet identified the culprits behind the attack.
This incident adds to a growing wave of cyberattacks targeting Japanese companies, highlighting the escalating cybersecurity challenges the nation faces.
A Pattern of Cyber Threats in Japan
The cyberattack on NTT Docomo highlights a growing pattern of digital threats targeting Japanese organizations.
On December 26, Japan Airlines (JAL) experienced a significant disruption starting at 7:24 a.m., impacting both internal and external systems. A malfunctioning router temporarily halted operations, forcing the airline to suspend ticket sales for flights departing that day and causing widespread delays.
In the same month, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance reported a vendor breach that compromised sensitive policyholder data.
Other high-profile entities, including Kadokawa, Casio, and major Japanese banks, have also fallen victim to cyber incidents.
These attacks range from ransomware infections to severe service disruptions, reflecting the increasing vulnerabilities across industries in Japan.
These attacks underscore the vulnerabilities in Japan’s critical industries, with threat actors exploiting weaknesses in sectors ranging from media and finance to manufacturing.
As cybercriminals evolve their tactics, Japan’s companies and institutions face mounting pressure to bolster their defenses against an increasingly sophisticated digital threat landscape.
