Japan’s space agency, JAXA, reported on Friday that a series of cyberattacks over the past year have not resulted in any classified information leaks. Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary for JAXA, stated that they have isolated some affected networks to ensure no sensitive information regarding rockets, satellites, or national security was compromised.
Minister Minoru Kihara confirmed that Japan’s national defense ministry was not impacted by the cyberattacks.
These incidents occur as Japan ramps up its investments in counterstrike capabilities in response to the growing military presence of China.
Despite the cyberattacks, JAXA has achieved significant milestones in its space program this year. In January, the agency’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) made a successful precision landing on the lunar surface, making Japan the fifth country to achieve this feat. In February, JAXA’s new flagship H3 rocket reached its planned orbit for the first time, following a failed debut flight the previous year. A third H3 flight, carrying an advanced observation satellite, is scheduled for June 30.
