Japan

89 Articles

Cybersecurity

Ledger Confirms Use of Spy Implant to Steal Assets from Hardware Wallets Through Southeast Asian Distributor

Ledger confirmed that at least one of its devices sold through Malaysian distributor CryptoBilis contained an unauthorized hardware implant linked to reports of crypto-asset withdrawals. Researchers’ analyses show that the implant could capture recovery phrases from the screen and buttons and then transmit them over an LTE connection, while the current authenticity check cannot detect this type of modification.

2026-10-12

Cybersecurity

Japanese Companies Expand Cybersecurity Services to Counter Supply Chain and AI Attacks

MONOist reviews moves by Japanese companies to provide broader protection for supply chains, with services that include network monitoring, incident response, and operational technology security. This comes as recent attacks reveal the expanding scope of breaches and their acceleration through artificial intelligence.

2026-10-10

Space and Space Technologies

Astronauts Discuss the Risks of Human Spaceflight and the Role of Artificial Intelligence at IAC 2026

Astronauts and company officials discussed ways to improve the safety of crewed spaceflight during IAC 2026, addressing the effects of microgravity and radiation, as well as malfunctions and psychological pressures. Artificial intelligence emerged as a potential tool for predicting malfunctions and analyzing spacecraft data, while the risks of relying on it and its effect on human relationships remained under discussion.

2026-10-09

Cybersecurity

United States Disrupts Two Chinese Tools for Hacking Critical Infrastructure

The United States announced the disruption of the MicroScan and FishHub tools, developed by Integrity Technology Group and used by state-backed Chinese entities to scan and breach networks and steal data. The targets included critical infrastructure, airports, universities, and government organizations in the United States and other countries.

2026-10-09

Cybersecurity

FBI Seizes Seven Domains Linked to Chinese Tools for Hacking Critical Infrastructure

The FBI seized seven domains used by the China-linked Flax Typhoon group to operate the MicroScan and FishHub tools, which were used to scan networks, breach organizations, and steal data worldwide. U.S. and international agencies issued indicators of compromise and defensive recommendations alongside the operation.

2026-10-08

Cybersecurity

Is Artificial Intelligence Accelerating Cyberattacks? Japanese Providers Identify What Companies Should Do

The views of five major technology companies differ on the extent to which cyberattacks are increasing in Japan and the role of artificial intelligence in them, but there is clear consensus that defense does not begin with AI tools alone. It begins with identifying assets, applying updates, and preparing for breaches. Experts believe artificial intelligence may accelerate reconnaissance and vulnerability analysis, while high-risk decisions remain the responsibility of humans and management.

2026-10-08

Cybersecurity

Ransomware Attack Disrupts IDCF Cloud Service and Affects 495 Companies and Local Governments in Japan

IDC Frontier revealed that a ransomware attack disrupted the East Japan Region 1 of the IDCF Cloud service, affecting 495 companies and local governments. The company isolated the affected systems and suspended access to management dashboards in all regions while verifying the infrastructure’s security.

2026-10-08

Artificial intelligence

CEATEC 2026 Highlights Physical AI and Industrial Task Technologies

The organizers of CEATEC 2026 announced the participation of 821 exhibitors, with a strong focus on generative AI and physical AI. Among the featured technologies is the TUSS system from the Mitsubishi Electric Group, which aims to enable models to perform multiple tasks in industrial environments.

2026-10-07

Electric Cars

Suzuki Competes with BYD with a Small Electric Car Starting at $13,500

Suzuki is preparing to launch the e SKY, its first kei-class electric car in Japan, with a starting price of approximately 2.12 million yen, a range of up to 310 kilometers, and LFP batteries supplied by BYD.

2026-10-06

Technologies

UEL Launches CADmeister 2026 with Generative AI Capabilities to Improve Mold Design and Manufacturing

UEL has launched CADmeister 2026, an industrial CAD/CAM/CAE suite that integrates generative artificial intelligence into CAD data analysis and automates certain design and manufacturing tasks. The release adds tools for CAM, 3D model inspection, and mold data management.

2026-10-06

Cybersecurity

Two Nikkei Email Accounts Hacked, One Used to Send 9,000 Phishing Messages

Nikkei revealed that a Google Workspace account was hacked in July and a Microsoft 365 account in September, potentially exposing the data of 1,646 people and resulting in the second account being used to send 9,000 phishing messages.

2026-10-06

Robotics and Automation

KDDI and RLWRLD Develop AI Models for Robots Under the GENIAC Project

KDDI and RLWRLD announced the start of a collaboration to develop foundation models for robots that combine real-world training data with environmental simulations, with the aim of improving robots’ ability to learn and perform tasks. The collaboration is part of the NEDO-supported GENIAC project, with plans for proof-of-concept tests and expansion of the available data.

2026-10-05

Artificial intelligence

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS Focuses on Three Areas to Expand Its AI Business by 2030

NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS unveiled its business strategy for fiscal 2026, placing artificial intelligence at the heart of the ICT platform it is developing, while targeting a doubling of revenue to 2.6 trillion yen by fiscal 2030. The plan includes computing and data centers, network services, and partner management, along with expanding cybersecurity capabilities and developing talent.

2026-10-02

Artificial intelligence

How AWS Supports STRADVISION’s Transition from Startup Idea to Physical AI Solutions

A MONOist interview with executives from AWS and STRADVISION examines the role of AWS startup programs and cloud infrastructure in developing computer vision and physical AI solutions. The company explains how it uses AWS services, including infrastructure dedicated to training and running models, to expand its applications in automotive and robotics.

2026-09-30

Technologies

Altair Engineering Launches ADVENTURECluster2026 with an AI Expert Engine to Accelerate CAE Model Setup and Verification

Altair Engineering announced the release of ADVENTURECluster2026 on October 1, 2026, adding the AI Expert function to help configure analysis settings and verify results, along with improvements in multidisciplinary optimization, AMG, and contact analysis.

2026-09-29

Cybersecurity

Ransomware Attack Disrupts Business Systems at Japanese Railway Operator Keio

Japanese company Keio confirmed that its group servers were hit by a ransomware attack on September 26, 2026, disrupting some business systems, particularly in the hospitality sector, with no indications that train operations were affected. The company is still investigating the extent of the damage and the possibility that customer and partner data was accessed.

2026-09-28

Robotics and Automation

PLC Software Solutions Enter the Age of Artificial Intelligence with Camera and Software Agent Integration

Automation companies at the Industry Open Network 2026 exhibition showcased solutions that connect programmable logic controllers with artificial intelligence and cameras, aiming to simplify monitoring, program modification, and fault recording. The demonstrations indicate that the PLC is shifting from a standalone controller to an element connected to a broader operating and analysis system.

2026-09-25

Artificial intelligence

Preferred Networks and ACSL Develop Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Autonomous Drone Operation

Preferred Networks and ACSL announced that a research project supported by NEDO has entered a phase enabling drones to make operational decisions autonomously using artificial intelligence. The work includes developing technologies for perception, planning, and responding to environmental changes, along with updates to the SOTEN drone and an open software platform.

2026-09-24