Ransomhouse Claims Cyberattack on Japanese Food Giant Nichirei

Hacker group Ransomhouse has claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Japanese frozen food manufacturer Nichirei Corp., according to a cybersecurity expert, as supply chain disruptions continue, Kyodo News reported.

Nichirei is working to restore operations after a cyberattack claimed by ransomware group Ransomhouse. [Photo: Kakidai, Wikimedia Commons]

The group, which is known for using ransomware to steal corporate data, posted a statement about the attack on the dark web, according to Nobuo Miwa, president of cybersecurity firm S&J Corp.

Ransomhouse is believed to have links to Russia.

In its statement, the group said it was awaiting a response from Nichirei and urged the company to make contact to prevent the release of confidential data.

Nichirei subsequently said that it was aware of the claim.

"We will respond in coordination with police and other relevant authorities," the company said.

The company declined to disclose whether it had received a ransom demand.

It added that personal information was stored on some of the affected servers and that affected individuals were being notified.

The cyberattack, which occurred about a week earlier, caused a system failure that disrupted deliveries of frozen food to supermarkets and restaurants, including Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan Ltd. School lunch deliveries were also affected.

KFC Japan said Wednesday that its operations had returned to normal after implementing measures, including shortened operating hours, to mitigate the impact of the cyberattack.

Nichirei, which disclosed the unauthorized access on July 13, has been restoring its systems ever since. Last October, Ransomhouse also claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on major online office supplies retailer Askul Corp.