Security News > 2021 > April > Japan Says Chinese Military Likely Behind Cyberattacks
Tokyo police are investigating cyberattacks 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 Tuesday.
A suspect in the JAXA case, a Chinese systems engineer based in Japan, allegedly gained access to a rental server by registering himself under a false identity to launch the cyberattacks, Kato said, citing the police investigation.
NHK public television said another Chinese national with suspected links to the PLA unit who was in Japan as an exchange student was also investigated in the case.
Police are investigating the attackers' intent and methods, while also pursuing scores of other cyberattacks that they suspect are linked to China's military, Kato said.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said cyberattacks are a common challenge faced by all countries and warned Japan against wrongly accusing China.
"Groundless speculation should not be allowed. China is firmly opposed to any country or institution using cyberattacks to throw mud at China or to serve the despicable political purposes with cybersecurity issues," he said.