TOKYO - Japan is facing a growing wave of cyberattacks as advances in artificial intelligence remove the language barrier that once made Japanese companies difficult targets for overseas hackers, with more than 68 million personal records potentially exposed in a series of security incidents over the past two weeks.
Cybersecurity specialists warn that AI-powered translation and automated communication tools are making it easier for international criminal groups to target Japanese businesses, conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns, and negotiate ransom payments in Japanese without requiring any knowledge of the language.
The growing accessibility of Japanese through AI is transforming a linguistic obstacle that historically offered some protection against overseas cybercriminals into a potential vulnerability for businesses and individuals across the country.
The change is visible in everyday life. At an okonomiyaki restaurant in Tokyo's Asakusa district, staff use smartphone translation applications to explain dishes and communicate with foreign tourists. Such technology has become an essential tool for visitors and Japanese businesses alike, helping overcome communication difficulties that once complicated interactions between Japanese speakers and foreigners.
However, the same technological advances that make international communication easier are also creating opportunities for cybercriminals.
Yamaha Motor announced another security incident involving unauthorized access to a company contracted to operate its online user community. The breach may have exposed personal information belonging to approximately 1,600 members.
The announcement follows a series of incidents affecting major Japanese companies, including Book Off and East Japan Railway, commonly known as JR East. Taken together, security breaches reported over a little more than two weeks have potentially exposed more than 68 million personal records, highlighting the growing scale of the threat.
A senior researcher specializing in cyber technology at a British defense and security research institute said the rapid improvement of AI language capabilities has fundamentally changed the economics of attacking Japanese organizations.
Historically, negotiating with victims in countries such as Japan presented substantial difficulties for foreign criminal groups because of the language barrier. AI now allows attackers to communicate and negotiate almost instantly in multiple languages, making Japan a more attractive target.
The implications are particularly serious for ransomware attacks, in which hackers penetrate computer systems, encrypt files and prevent organizations from accessing their own data. Criminals then demand payment in exchange for restoring access, sometimes threatening to release stolen information unless the victim agrees to pay.
Ransomware operations frequently require extensive communication between attackers and their victims. Criminal groups may need to negotiate payment terms, convince companies that their data has been stolen, and provide evidence demonstrating that the attackers possess sensitive information.
These exchanges once demanded a level of Japanese-language proficiency that many overseas hacking groups lacked.
AI can now generate convincing Japanese-language messages, translate responses and even automate parts of the communication process. This allows criminal organizations to conduct ransom negotiations with Japanese companies more efficiently, reducing the resources and specialist knowledge required to operate in the country.
The threat has already caused significant disruption to major businesses.
In September last year, Japanese brewer Asahi was targeted in a ransomware attack attributed to the international hacking group Qilin. The incident disrupted operations and temporarily forced factories and other facilities to suspend activities, demonstrating how a cyberattack can extend beyond stolen information to affect production and business continuity.
The group has also publicly criticized Japan's cybersecurity defenses. In an interview last week, Qilin described Japan as one of the countries with the world's weakest computer security arrangements.
The assessment reflects a broader concern that Japan's expanding digital economy is creating additional opportunities for cybercriminals.
As more companies provide services through internet-connected systems, the number of potential entry points for attackers increases. The British researcher warned that the expansion of online business operations would likely expose more organizations to attacks, contributing to a further rise in cybercrime.
Another emerging problem is the increasing sophistication of fraudulent emails and other messages used to deceive employees and consumers.
Previously, suspicious messages written in unnatural Japanese often provided a warning that an email might be fraudulent. Awkward grammar, unusual expressions and poorly translated phrases could reveal that a message had originated from a criminal organization operating overseas.
Those warning signs are becoming less reliable as AI dramatically improves the quality of translation and written Japanese. Fraudulent emails can now appear more natural and convincing, making it increasingly difficult for recipients to distinguish malicious messages from legitimate business communications.
Cybersecurity awareness is therefore becoming more important, particularly when dealing with emails, text messages and requests for sensitive information.
Recommended precautions include enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding direct access to websites through links received in emails or SMS messages, and independently verifying requests involving money or personal information.
When a suspicious message requests a payment or confidential details, recipients should stop the communication and contact the organization through a separate, trusted channel rather than responding to the original message.
The developments point to a significant shift in Japan's cybersecurity environment. While language technology has opened new opportunities for international business and tourism, it has also removed an obstacle that once limited the ability of foreign criminal groups to operate effectively in Japan.
With AI increasingly capable of handling the linguistic and communication demands of sophisticated cybercrime, Japanese companies face the prospect of becoming accessible targets for hackers operating from virtually anywhere in the world.
Source: TBS
