TOKYO (AP) – Tokyo police are investigating cyber attacks on about 200 Japanese companies and research organizations, including the country’s space agency, by a hacking group believed to be linked to the Chinese military, the government said Tuesday.
Police have forwarded the case involving attacks on the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to prosecutors for further investigation, Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters.
Police believe a series of JAXA hacks were carried out in 2016-2017 by “Tick,” a Chinese cyber-attack group led by a unit of the People’s Liberation Army, Kato said.
A suspect in the JAXA case, a Chinese systems engineer based in Japan, allegedly gained access to a rental server by registering himself under a false identity to launch the cyber attacks, Kato said, referring to the police investigation.
NHK public television said another Chinese citizen with suspected ties to the PLA unit who was in Japan as an exchange student was also being investigated in the case. Both men have now left the country, it said.
Police are investigating the attackers’ intentions and methods, and are also pursuing numerous other cyber-attacks that they suspect are related to the Chinese military, Kato said.
“The involvement of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is very likely,” said Kato. He added that no actual data breach or damage has been detected so far, but police are urging the companies to strengthen their protections.
Japan’s Defense Ministry says cyber attacks are part of increasing security threats from China as it becomes more assertive in the region – a shared concern discussed in April 16 White House talks between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
In Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said cyber attacks are a common challenge facing all countries, and warned Japan of falsely accusing China.
“Unfounded speculation should not be allowed. China is strongly opposed to any country or institution that uses cyber attacks to throw mud at China or to serve the despicable political ends with cyber security issues, ”he said. “China is ready to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with all parties to jointly address cyber threats.”
Beijing AP business writer Joe McDonald contributed to this report.