Japan responds to wave of cyberattacks affecting at least 18 companies

Japan is responding to a wave of cyberattacks that began in late September and affected at least 18 companies.

The incidents involved organizations including Tokyo Metro, the Nikkei newspaper and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency.

The number of affected companies may be higher: one count listed at least 18, while another put it at 20 or more.

The largest reported incident exposed data belonging to 10.8 million customers of restaurant chain Yakiniku King.

Other exposed information included email addresses, identity documents and medical examination results.

Japan’s digital minister called an emergency meeting and described the situation as a cybersecurity emergency.

The national cyber response center warned about several possible attack methods, and banks were told not to accept driver’s licences as proof of identity when opening accounts.

The people behind the attacks have not been identified.