Askul Suspends Order Receipts, Shipments Due to Cyberattack

Tokyo, Oct. 20 (Jiji Press)–Japanese office equipment seller Askul Corp. has suspended order receipts on its “Askul” brand e-commerce website as well as product shipments due to a system glitch caused by a cyberattack. The company said Sunday that it is hurrying to restore its system while checking whether there has been any leakage of personal information or customer data. In a related development, Ryohin Keikaku Co., which uses a logistics company affiliated with Askul for goods transportation, shut its Muji brand household products website Sunday, making it temporarily impossible to buy goods through the site. Askul confirmed that the glitch was caused by ransomware, a type of computer virus that encrypts data and demands ransom in exchange for decryption. “We sincerely apologize for the significant inconvenience and concern this incident has caused to our customers…and stakeholders,” Askul said. Order receipts and shipments have also been suspended for the company’s Lohaco services for individual customers and its Soloel Arena services for business users. Orders received after the suspensions will be canceled, Askul said. Ryohin Keikaku said that it remains uncertain when its website will be restored. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]