Self-Made Puffy Stickers Drive Unexpected Glue Shortages

Nearly one in three large companies in Japan have experienced a data leak or a suspected breach, according to a survey released by Teikoku Databank on October 19th, highlighting growing concerns over corporate information security as unauthorized access incidents continue to affect businesses across the country.

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average closed 407.59 points lower at 64,916.70 on October 19, a decline of 0.62%, recovering from an intraday plunge of more than 1,400 points as concerns over artificial intelligence investment weighed on semiconductor and technology shares, while buying in banks, utilities and other domestic sectors helped the broader TOPIX index finish slightly higher.

International hacking group Qilin has claimed responsibility for a ransomware attack on subsidiaries of Keio Railway in late September, publishing images allegedly showing internal company documents and displaying a countdown believed to indicate a deadline for releasing stolen data, while the railway operator said it is investigating the claims.

Japanese stocks rebounded sharply on October 16, with the Nikkei 225 closing 898 points higher at 65,324, a gain of 1.39%, as investors returned to technology, semiconductor and financial shares following six consecutive sessions of losses. The recovery came after a dramatic sell-off the previous day, when the benchmark plunged 3,318 points, its third-largest point decline on record, reflecting growing concerns about the sustainability of global artificial intelligence investment and its impact on corporate earnings.

Burger King Japan has announced that approximately 11.18 million records containing personal information of its official app members were leaked following unauthorized access to its systems between October 2 and October 7.

Tokyo stocks suffered one of their steepest declines on October 15, with the Nikkei 225 plunging 3,318 points, or 4.90%, to close at 64,426, its third-largest point decline on record, as a global selloff in artificial intelligence and semiconductor shares intensified over concerns about rising U.S. interest rates and the financial sustainability of debt-funded AI investment.

Panasonic has announced a recall of approximately 640,000 drum-type washer-dryers after identifying a defect in their automatic detergent dispensing tanks that could cause electrical wiring to deteriorate and potentially catch fire.

Tokyo stocks edged lower on October 14, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 67,744, down 33 points, as an early rebound in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares faded late in the session before the release of U.S. inflation data.