Japanese Companies Compensate Users Amid Cyberattacks Disrupting Economy

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Japanese companies, including GMO Internet Group, have started reimbursing customers after cyberattacks compromised online financial services and caused widespread disruptions. In response, the Japanese government plans to implement an emergency cybersecurity package next week to address escalating threats amplified by AI-driven hacking techniques.

Japanese companies have begun compensating users following a series of cyberattacks that disrupted internet services and heightened concerns over economic stability. Among the affected firms, GMO Internet Group, a prominent provider of online financial services, announced it will reimburse customers for losses linked to unauthorized access resulting from a cyberattack on its foreign exchange trading platform. Additionally, all customers will receive a goodwill payment of 5,000 yen (approximately $32), according to CEO Masatoshi Kumagai.

Kumagai highlighted the growing challenges facing internet infrastructure, stating that “the internet itself is now starting to break down.” GMO Internet Group’s operations encompass a wide range of digital services, including internet infrastructure and cryptocurrency trading. The company’s shares experienced a sharp decline, falling nearly 16 percent to a four-month low, contrasting with a modest 0.2 percent rise in Tokyo’s broader market index.

In response to the surge in cyber threats, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday announced plans to develop an emergency cybersecurity package, expected to be finalized next week. This initiative follows Japan’s earlier decision to establish a team specializing in simulating cyberattacks using artificial intelligence, aimed at identifying vulnerabilities within technology systems. These efforts were prompted in part by recent revelations of critical security flaws in the PHP programming language, which underpins much of the internet’s infrastructure.

The vulnerabilities in PHP triggered millions of hacking attempts, leading to temporary outages of government and corporate websites in Japan, Europe, and other regions. Cybersecurity experts note that advanced tools leveraging AI have increasingly automated tasks such as scanning software for weaknesses and creating phishing campaigns, making cybercrime faster, more cost-effective, and harder to detect.

Kumagai urged the Japanese government to strengthen cyberdefense measures in light of recent attacks. He referenced a newly introduced national cyberdefense system, noting that it could include offensive measures targeting hostile servers to neutralize threats, though details of such strategies remain unspecified.

The wave of cyber incidents underlines the growing risks faced by Japan’s digital economy and infrastructure as threats evolve amid accelerating technological complexity. Authorities and private sector leaders continue to seek ways to bolster resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.