Tokyo: Japan’s space agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency or JAXA has suffered several cyber attacks since last year. However, no sensitive information related to satellites or rockets was affected.
The Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi acknowledged the infiltrations had “a number of” cyberattacks were made and added that the space agency is investigating the extent of illegal access while shutting down all the affected networks. He added that Jaxa is verifying if those networks contained any classified information about the operations of rockets and satellites and national security.
Hayashi further vowed to strengthen Japan’s ability to counter cyberattacks.
Meanwhile, officials on Friday said they were not aware of any information leak from the cyberattacks.
Defence Minister Minoru Kihara told the media that the attacks on JAXA didn’t affect his ministry, adding that he is keeping a close watch on the investigation by the agency.
Additionally, Education and Science Minister Masahito Moriyama spoke during a news conference Friday that he believed there was no actual damage from the cyberattacks.
Officials said JAXA is currently working with the government’s cybersecurity team to introduce countermeasures.
In recent years, Japan has been accelerating its military buildup in response to China’s growing military might and is currently hoping to be able to develop a counterstrike ability.
However, experts have said that Tokyo will continue the need to rely heavily on the United States for launching all long-range cruise missiles at targets.
(Inputs from AP)
Japan’s JAXA Hit by Multiple Cyberattacks, But No ‘Sensitive Data’ Taken world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
