AI speeds up cyberattacks on Japanese firms, security chief warns

Cyberattacks targeting Japanese companies are accelerating in both speed and sophistication through the use of artificial intelligence, according to Nobuo Miwa, president of S&J, a Tokyo-based information security service provider. In a recent interview, Miwa described a troubling trend: AI is shortening the time between when a security vulnerability is discovered and when attackers exploit it. "Attack programs can be created in the blink of an eye with AI," he said, underscoring how automation has compressed what was once a longer window for defensive response.

The timing of his remarks is significant. A series of high-profile cyberattacks have recently struck major Japanese corporations. Nichirei, a leading frozen food maker, Askul, a household goods supplier, and Asahi Group Holdings, a major beverage producer, have all suffered serious disruptions to their corporate activities stemming from system failures caused by cyberattacks. These incidents illustrate the real-world stakes: large, recognizable companies dependent on complex supply chains and digital operations are facing operational gridlock.

Miwa attributes the vulnerability of Japanese firms to a structural disadvantage: historically, Japanese companies have faced fewer cyberattacks than their counterparts in other regions, resulting in weaker security postures. "Because Japanese companies have historically faced fewer cyberattacks, many lack adequate defenses, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals," Miwa explained. This relative inexperience has left many organizations unprepared for the velocity and sophistication of modern threats. While Miwa stressed that it is difficult to eliminate all points of entry into corporate systems, he emphasized the importance of identifying potential attack routes in advance and taking measures to mitigate risks. "Countermeasures vary greatly depending on a company's size and system configuration," he noted, acknowledging that no one-size-fits-all solution exists.

Miwa also provided insight into attack patterns, particularly regarding ransomware—malware that encrypts data and demands payment for its release. Ransomware campaigns are often launched between late Sunday night and the early hours of Monday, with data encryption typically completed by early Monday morning. This timing exploits the reduced staffing and oversight of weekend hours. In response, Miwa advised that if there is a risk of major system failure, companies should "disconnect ordering systems" to limit the scope of damage. He also underscored the need for companies to work closely with external cybersecurity firms, while acknowledging that this partnership model brings its own challenges related to costs and clarity around responsibility allocation.

The convergence of AI-powered attack tools and defensive gaps in Japanese enterprises creates a distinct vulnerability. Miwa's remarks follow a visible cluster of incidents at major corporations across food, retail, and beverages—sectors with significant operational dependence on continuous system availability. His key insight—that AI shortens the attack cycle from vulnerability discovery to exploitation—fundamentally shifts the defensive calculus: prevention of all entry points is acknowledged as impossible, so the focus must shift upstream to early identification and containment. The historical relative safety of Japanese targets compounds the problem; fewer past incidents mean less institutional memory and slower adoption of advanced defenses. Miwa's emphasis on disconnecting critical systems (such as ordering infrastructure) and external partnerships reflects a pragmatic acceptance that internal resources alone are insufficient, though he acknowledges the friction points—cost, responsibility boundaries—that slow adoption.

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