Ransomware Attacks Have Swept Japan. A.I. May Be Making Them Easier.
Critical infrastructure has been targeted in a wave of cyberattacks, which experts say are rising because of artificial intelligence.
TL;DR
- Japan is experiencing a significant increase in cyberattacks across various sectors.
- The government has declared a 'state of emergency in cyberspace' due to the severity of the attacks.
- Experts believe the primary motivation for the attacks is financial, involving ransoms or sale of stolen data.
- The frequency of cyberattacks in Japan has surpassed previous years, with a notable rise in 2026.
- Recent attacks have disrupted a public university, led to a massive leak of personal data, and affected hundreds of companies and local governments, including critical infrastructure like a rail operator and police headquarters.