Japan’s space agency, JAXA, has faced a series of cyberattacks since last year, with external hackers targeting its network. Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, confirmed the attacks during a recent press conference, noting that while sensitive information related to rockets and satellites remained secure, certain operational aspects were compromised. As a response, security officials are conducting a thorough investigation and have temporarily shut down part of JAXA’s network to prevent further breaches.
The cybersecurity landscape for JAXA has become increasingly complex, prompting the government to prioritize bolstering defenses. JAXA, known for its satellite launches and ambitious space missions including asteroid exploration, has been a repeated target since 2016, allegedly by Chinese military hackers among others. In recent incidents, hackers targeted JAXA’s servers aiming to breach its general business operations, potentially compromising communications with external partners such as Toyota.
Reports suggest that personal information of JAXA staff might have been leaked, prompting ongoing investigations to ascertain the extent of data breaches. Despite concerns, JAXA has refrained from disclosing specifics for security reasons. This series of cyber incidents underscores Japan’s vulnerability to cyber threats, particularly amid escalating tensions with China, highlighting the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures across its governmental and research institutions.
