Japan’s largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, has been forced to shut down part of its systems after falling victim to a cyberattack over the weekend. The incident occurred early on Saturday morning and impacted operations, including the company’s taxi dispatch system, which remains offline as of today. With annual revenue of around $1 billion (¥155 billion), Nihon Kotsu is Japan’s largest taxi and chauffeur operator by group revenue, employing 18,228 people and operating a fleet of over 8,500 taxis.
According to the company, its internal systems were subjected to unauthorized external access, which it believes was caused by malware infection. As soon as the breach was detected, Nihon Kotsu implemented emergency measures to prevent further damage, including disconnecting systems from the internet. However, the move has disrupted a range of services, including car hire, web booking, reservation management, and telephone dispatch.
The company is urging customers to use its “GO” taxi app or visit nearby taxi stands to book a Nihon Kotsu vehicle while services are down. In a separate announcement, the firm specified that its “labor taxi” service, which is used by pregnant women close to giving birth, has been suspended in several areas across Japan, including Tokyo and Yokohama.
As part of its response, Nihon Kotsu has engaged external cybersecurity experts to help with the investigation and system recovery. The company is currently investigating whether any data may have been leaked during the attack, but so far, no such breach has been confirmed. In a statement, Nihon Kotsu warned customers not to open attachments or click on links in suspicious communications claiming to be from the company.
The incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by cyberattacks against critical infrastructure and services. With no ransomware group or extortion gang having claimed responsibility for the attack at this stage, it remains unclear what motivated the attackers. Nevertheless, the breach serves as a reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and regular testing to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
In practical terms, this incident underscores the need for companies and individuals alike to remain vigilant against phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics. As Nihon Kotsu’s statement advises, customers should exercise caution when receiving suspicious communications from the company or any other organization. By being aware of potential threats and taking steps to protect themselves, individuals can help prevent their own data from falling victim to cyberattacks.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-07-13