Japan’s largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, has fallen victim to a cyberattack that forced the company to shut down part of its infrastructure. The incident occurred over the weekend, impacting operations including the company’s taxi dispatch system, which remains offline as of today.
Nihon Kotsu is Japan’s largest taxi and chauffeur operator by group revenue, with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion (¥155 billion). The company employs 18,228 people and operates a fleet of 8,558 taxis and over two thousand chauffeur vehicles. The attack compromised the company’s internal systems, allowing unauthorized external access – or malware infection.
In response to the incident, Nihon Kotsu immediately implemented emergency measures, including disconnecting affected systems to prevent further damage. As a result, several services remain unavailable, including car hire, web booking, reservation management, telephone dispatch service, and some internal systems. The company has advised customers seeking its car services to use alternative methods, such as the ‘GO’ taxi app or visiting a nearby taxi stand.
The attack also had an impact on Nihon Kotsu’s “labor taxi” service, which is used by pregnant women close to giving birth in specific areas of Tokyo and surrounding cities. This service has been suspended until further notice. While no data leak has been confirmed at this stage, the company is investigating the possibility and considering various measures to protect customer data.
Security experts have been engaged to assist with the investigation and system recovery. Nihon Kotsu has warned customers not to open attachments received from suspicious communications claiming to originate from the company, and to avoid clicking any links in those messages. This cautionary advice serves as a reminder for all individuals to remain vigilant when receiving emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources.
The incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for organizations, especially those with sensitive customer data. As we continue to navigate the complex world of cyber threats, it is crucial for companies and individuals alike to prioritize security awareness and stay informed about emerging risks.
In light of this incident, customers of Nihon Kotsu should remain cautious when interacting with any communication from the company, and always verify the authenticity of messages before taking action. As for businesses, this incident serves as a timely reminder to regularly review their cybersecurity posture, implement robust threat detection measures, and stay up-to-date with the latest security best practices to minimize the risk of similar incidents occurring in the future.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-07-13