Japanese Frozen Food Giant Nichirei Hit by Cyberattack, Operations Disrupted
Nichirei, one of Japan’s top frozen food producers, has been severely impacted by a cyberattack that occurred on July 13. The company, which operates globally through 80 subsidiaries, disconnected its systems to prevent further damage and protect sensitive data. As a result, operations at Nichirei Logistics Group’s refrigerated warehouses and Nichirei Foods’ shipping operations have come to a standstill.
The disruption has far-reaching consequences for multiple restaurant chains, retailers, and delivery services that rely on Nichirei’s frozen food products. Local media reports indicate that the affected businesses are facing significant delays in receiving their orders, leading to concerns about inventory management and customer satisfaction.
According to an official statement from Nichirei, the company’s investigation has established that hackers targeted its servers as part of the attack. The compromised systems stored personal information, prompting Nichirei to submit a report to the Personal Information Protection Commission. While the company is withholding details about the nature of the cyberattack, it is unclear whether a known ransomware or data extortion group was involved.
Nichirei’s decision to disconnect its systems has undoubtedly caused inconvenience for its customers and partners. However, this move is a testament to the company’s commitment to protecting sensitive data and preventing further damage. As the investigation continues, Nichirei will likely provide updates on when services will be fully operational.
The cyberattack on Nichirei serves as a reminder that even large corporations with robust security measures in place can fall victim to sophisticated attacks. This incident highlights the importance of having robust backup systems, regular security audits, and incident response plans in place to minimize downtime and data loss.
For businesses operating in the food industry or relying on supply chains with Nichirei, this disruption serves as a warning about the potential risks associated with cyberattacks. Companies must remain vigilant and invest in robust cybersecurity measures to mitigate the impact of such incidents.
In conclusion, Nichirei’s experience should prompt all organizations to review their security posture and incident response plans. By doing so, they can minimize the consequences of a cyberattack and ensure business continuity.
Source: SecurityWeek — 2026-07-17