Hacker group claims responsibility for cyberattack on Nichei Hitachi Group
Security firms confirm claim of responsibility made on July 21, with ransomware suspected in the breach that impacted logistics and food supply chains.
A hacker group has issued a claim of responsibility for the cyberattack on frozen food manufacturer Nichei Hitachi Group, which caused significant system failures and disrupted shipping operations. The claim was made on the evening of July 21, according to interviews with security companies confirmed by NHK News Japan.
The group is suspected of using ransomware to compromise the company’s systems. While the specific identity of the hacker collective has not been disclosed, the assertion of responsibility marks a new development in the incident, which was first publicly acknowledged by the company on July 15.
The cyberattack resulted in widespread system failures that affected the company’s ability to manage shipping and other critical business operations. The disruption has had downstream effects on the broader supply chain, impacting food manufacturers and restaurant chains that rely on Nichei Hitachi Group’s products.
Following the initial breach, the company stated on July 18 that it was working to normalise operations by the following week. The ongoing investigation into the nature of the attack and the extent of the data compromise continues, with security experts assessing the suspected ransomware threat.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of economic and environmental pressures in Japan. The yen has weakened to approximately 163 yen per US dollar, a 39.5-year low, while severe weather conditions, including heatwaves and flood hazards in Tokyo, are affecting the region concurrently.
