Japan has been hit by a wave of cyberattacks over the past six years, with a staggering 210 breaches targeting government agencies, politicians, and companies. The National Police Agency recently revealed that a Chinese hacker group, Mirror Face, was behind these attacks. This revelation has raised alarm over the security of Japan’s critical information and advanced technologies.
The attacks spanned from 2019 to 2024, focusing on stealing sensitive data from Japan’s defense, technology, and communication sectors. One of the most high-profile victims was JAXA, Japan’s space agency, which suffered a major data breach in 2023.
Who is Behind the Attacks?
The hacker group responsible for these cyberattacks, Mirror Face, is believed to be connected to the Chinese government. Experts suspect the group is linked to APT10, a well-known hacking organization associated with China’s Ministry of State Security.
Mirror Face didn’t just attack randomly. Their targets were carefully chosen and included Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, lawmakers, and private companies in crucial sectors like semiconductors, aerospace, and communications. The hackers were especially focused on stealing technological and security-related information.
The National Police Agency and Japan’s National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) warned that Mirror Face carried out these attacks as part of a coordinated effort. Investigators believe the group’s primary objective was to gain access to advanced technological data that could benefit China’s national security and economy.
How Did the Cyberattacks Work?
Mirror Face used phishing emails as their main weapon. These emails looked harmless and were carefully crafted to catch the attention of their targets. To make them seem urgent and important, the subject lines referred to critical global issues like the U.S.-Japan alliance, tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
The danger lay in the email attachments. When someone opened the attachment, their computer became infected with malware—a type of harmful software. This malware secretly gave the hackers access to the victim’s files, emails, and even classified information.
The phishing emails were so convincing that they fooled even highly trained professionals. The hackers’ tactics were sophisticated, making it hard to detect the malware before the damage was done.
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One of the biggest breaches occurred at JAXA, where sensitive aerospace data was stolen. The attack on JAXA was part of a larger strategy to target Japan’s cutting-edge industries, particularly those related to semiconductors and defense technologies.
Why Does This Matter?
The consequences of these attacks are far-reaching. Mirror Face focused on industries and departments critical to Japan’s security and economic future. By stealing advanced technological data, the hackers could give China a significant advantage in areas like national defense, aerospace, and semiconductor development.
What makes the attacks even more alarming is their timing. They occurred during periods when Japan was addressing major international challenges, including its alliance with the U.S., rising tensions with China over Taiwan, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. These cyberattacks may have been timed to disrupt Japan’s ability to respond to these geopolitical issues.
Japan’s government agencies and private companies were unprepared for the scale and sophistication of these attacks. The fact that sensitive information could be stolen so easily has exposed significant vulnerabilities in Japan’s cybersecurity systems.
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The National Police Agency’s investigation confirmed strong evidence of Chinese involvement. The malware’s design, the selection of targets, and the coordination of the attacks all point to support from the Chinese government. This wasn’t just the work of independent hackers—it was a systematic effort to weaken Japan’s security and steal valuable information.
The Bigger Picture
The 210 cyberattacks carried out by Mirror Face show just how vulnerable even advanced nations like Japan can be to cyber threats. These attacks targeted some of the country’s most sensitive information, affecting both national security and vital industries.
The discovery of these breaches has sent shockwaves through Japan, highlighting the growing risks of cyber warfare. Protecting critical information has become one of the most urgent challenges for modern governments, especially as hackers grow more sophisticated and better equipped.
Japan now faces the difficult task of strengthening its defenses against future attacks and protecting its valuable technological and security data.
