China’s Cyberattack on Japan: Deemed “Shockingly Bad”

In a recently revealed incident that occurred in 2020, a group of twelve anonymous sources disclosed to the Washington Post that China successfully hacked into Japan’s classified defense networks. A former US military official, who was briefed on the cyberattack, described it as “shockingly bad.” According to the newspaper, China had extensive and persistent access to sensitive information such as military plans, capabilities, and assessments of military weaknesses. This access continued until the Biden administration assumed office in 2021. In response, Japan has announced plans to significantly increase its cybersecurity budget, quadruple the size of its military’s cybersecurity force, and enhance network security measures.

The National Security Agency (NSA) first discovered this cyberattack, which is considered one of the most severe in Japan’s history, in the fall of 2020, according to sources. Under President Biden, the US Cyber Command offered assistance to Japan, but the country was hesitant to have another nation’s military involved in their networks. Instead, domestic firms were utilized to identify vulnerabilities in Japan’s cybersecurity, with the Cyber Command reviewing their findings and providing guidance. However, by the fall of 2021, it was determined that Japan had made limited progress in resolving the breach. Bloomberg reports that Japan has not officially confirmed the story. For the complete story and analysis, please refer to the Washington Post. (Read more China stories.)