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Japan Airlines Cyberattack Causes Flight Delays, System Restored

Japan Airlines Cyberattack Causes Flight Delays, System Restored

Japan Airlines (JAL) reported a cyberattack on Thursday that disrupted its operations, causing delays to domestic and international flights. The airline later announced it had identified and addressed the issue, ensuring system recovery.

The cyberattack primarily affected the airline’s baggage check-in system, delaying more than a dozen flights at major Japanese airports. However, there were no widespread cancellations or significant disruptions, according to public broadcaster NHK.

JAL, Japan’s second-largest airline after All Nippon Airways (ANA), posted updates on the social media platform X, stating, “We identified and addressed the cause of the issue. We are checking the system recovery status.” The airline also suspended sales for flights departing the same day and issued an apology for the inconvenience caused.

The disruption began at 7:24 a.m. local time (2224 GMT Wednesday) and was traced to a router causing network instability. By 8:56 a.m., the problematic router was temporarily isolated, JAL stated.

Following the news, JAL’s shares fell by as much as 2.5% in morning trading before recovering slightly.

The incident highlights growing cybersecurity challenges for Japanese companies. Recent years have seen an increase in cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure and high-profile organizations in the country.

In 2023, Japan’s space agency JAXA revealed it had been subjected to a cyberattack, although sensitive information remained secure. The same year, Nagoya Port, one of Japan’s busiest, faced significant disruptions due to a ransomware attack linked to the Russia-based Lockbit cybercrime group.

Even government entities have been targeted. Japan’s National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) was reportedly infiltrated by hackers for nine months in 2023. In 2022, Toyota experienced a day-long halt at domestic plants due to a cyberattack on one of its suppliers.

Most recently, in June 2024, the popular video-sharing platform Niconico suspended services due to a large-scale cyberattack.

The recurring nature of such incidents underscores the need for heightened cybersecurity measures across industries in Japan. JAL’s swift response and system restoration serve as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and robust defense mechanisms in mitigating the impact of cyberattacks.

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