Tokyo, Japan-based Nichirei corporation reported it has been the target of a cyberattack which resulted in system failures at the company, causing issues for some of the foodservice operators it supplies.
Nichirei, a food and logistics corporation that handles a range of products including seafood, said system failures it experienced were caused by an unauthorized attack, and that as of its announcement, there was no evidence personal information or customer data was leaked. However, it added that investigations are ongoing, and said both inbound and outbound operations at some of its refrigerated warehouses and frozen food shipment operations were both impacted by the attack.
“We are currently investigating and taking measures to restore the systems; we will provide an update regarding the expected time of recovery period,” Nichirei said. “Please note that the scope of the current system failure is limited to Japan.”
In the wake of the attack, media reports indicated certain food chains in Japan were wary of potential food shortages. Kura Sushi – a sushi chain with almost 700 locations in Japan – was experiencing shipment delays for some products to its stores in Western Japan.
“A system failure is currently occurring due to unauthorized access affecting one of our business partners,” the company said. “As a result, deliveries of sushi ingredients, frozen foods, and some food items to our stores have been delayed or have not arrived.”
The company added that it has secured supplies of the “Hokkaido Salmon” it had placed on sale since 10 July, which has allowed it to avoid a shortage of that product.
“We will continue striving to provide safe and reliable food, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation,” Kura Sushi said.
Alongside Kura Sushi, KFC Japan also announced it was facing delays due to the attack on Nichirei.
“Consequently, some products may be out of stock, menu items may be limited, business hours may be shortened, and some stores may be closed depending on the availability of ingredients,” the company said. “Online orders through our official app and website have also been temporarily suspended.”
