Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan indirectly accused the Chinese government of being behind a group conducting cyberattacks known as APT40 and said it 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.

“The Japanese government has been paying close attention with deep concern to these attacks by APT40 and others which threaten the security of cyberspace, and China is likely behind it,” the foreign ministry in Tokyo said in a statement on Monday.

Japan considers that the security of cyberspace is fundamental to ensure peace and prosperity of the international community, including Japan, and the recent G7 Leaders’ Summit held in the United Kingdom reaffirmed it.

On July 19th, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries issued public statements, including a group conducting cyberattacks known as APT40. According to the statements, the Chinese government is behind it, and the United States issued an indictment charging four members of APT40.

Japan recently announced cyberattacks in which it said it is highly likely that an Advanced Persistent Threat group called Tick, which Unit 61419 of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is behind, was involved. Japan further confirmed that Japanese companies were also targeted in the case above 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 a matter of strong concern from the national security viewpoint, firmly condemns and will take strict measures against these activities,” said the ministry.

Japan pledged to continue cooperating closely with the international community, including the G7 countries and developing free, fair, and secure cyberspace.