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 on Tuesday. .
Police have forwarded cases of attacks on the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency to prosecutors for further investigation, Cabinet Secretary-General 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 People’s Liberation Army unit, Kato said.
A suspect in the case of JAXA, a Chinese system engineer based in Japan, allegedly obtained access to a rental server by registering under a false identity to launch cyber attacks, Kato said, citing the police investigation.
NHK Public Television said another Chinese citizen with suspected links to the PLA unit in Japan as an exchange student had been investigated in the case. Both men have left the country since then.
Police are investigating the attackers’ intent and methods, while tracking dozens of other cyber attacks they suspect are linked to the Chinese military, Kato said.
“It is very likely that the involvement of the People’s Liberation Army of China,” Kato said. He added that no real data leaks or damages have been found so far, but police are urging companies to strengthen their protection.
Japan’s Defense Ministry says cyber attacks are part of China’s growing security threats as they become more assertive in the region – a common concern discussed in the April 16 White House talks between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga .
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said cyberattacks were a common challenge facing all countries and warned Japan against China’s wrongful accusation.
“Unfounded speculation should not be allowed. China strongly opposes any country or institution that uses cyber attacks to throw mud at China or to serve political purposes of contempt with cybersecurity issues, “he said. “China is ready to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with all parties to jointly address cyber security threats.”
___
AP business writer Joe McDonald of Beijing contributed to the report.