Press Releases
Cases of cyberattacks including those by a group known as APT40 which the Chinese government is behind (Statement by Press Secretary YOSHIDA Tomoyuki)
July 19, 2021
- Security of cyberspace is extremely important to ensure peace and prosperity of the international community including Japan, and it was reaffirmed at the recent G7 Leaders’ Summit held in the United Kingdom.
- Against this backdrop, on July 19th (local time), the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries issued public statements including on a group conducting cyberattacks known as APT40 which the Chinese government is behind, and an indictment charging four members of APT40 has been issued in the United States. Japan also assesses that it is highly likely that the Chinese government is behind APT40 and has been paying close attention with deep concern to these attacks by APT40 and others which threaten the security of cyberspace. Japan strongly supports the public statements by the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries which express the determination to uphold the rules-based international order in cyberspace.
- Japan recently made the announcement on cyberattacks in which it is highly likely that an Advanced Persistent Threat group called Tick, which the Unit 61419 of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is behind, was involved. Japan further confirmed that Japanese companies were also targeted in the aforementioned case by the group known as APT40.
- Malicious cyber activities that could potentially undermine the foundation of democracy embodied by free, fair and secure cyberspace cannot be condoned. The Government of Japan considers it to be a matter of strong concern from the national security viewpoint, firmly condemns and will take strict measures against these activities.
- Japan will continue to closely cooperate with the international community including the G7 countries and make efforts in order to develop free, fair and secure cyberspace.