theTokyoBill Japan news brief

theTokyoBill Japan news brief, December 4 2024

In this episode: E-commerce sites hacked, 100,000 customers’ data stolen; Ninja tour in Tokyo resumes; Japanese included in BBC 100 Women 2024; South Korean President invokes martial law, retracts following protests; US News: FBI arrests illegal alien procuring materials for North Korea

Duration:: 5m
Broadcast on:: 04 Dec 2024
Audio Format:: other

A short (3-5 min.) English language news brief; stories from in and around Japan.

Music is Motivate by Wavecont, care of Pixabay.com.

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[MUSIC PLAYING] Welcome to the Tokyo Bill, a short news brief on recent events in and around Japan. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and other sources have revealed that at least 100,000 customers' personal information, including credit card details, was stolen from 11 e-commerce websites in Tokyo. Unauthorized programs tampered with websites, allowing attackers to remotely access and steal customer data. Major companies, including Tully's Coffee and Japan Fisheries Association, were affected. The operators were unaware of the damage for over three years, leading to tens of thousands of information leaks. Authorities suspect overseas criminal groups may be behind the attacks on our analyzing IP addresses for clues. Information security experts recommend that companies regularly update security measures to prevent such breaches. The end of November, witnessed around 100 ninja, gathered in central Tokyo for a tour of the birthplaces of two major ninja schools. The participants, dressed in ninja attire, walked 14 kilometers through various tourist spots, allowing foreign tourists to take photos. The event was organized by the Shinobi No Sato Iga Koka Ninja Council to promote the cities of Iga and Koka and to please ninja fans. Led by me, I university professor Yuji Yamada, the group visited locations such as Kanda's Surigadei district and Tsukiji Hong YG temple before ending the tour at Hatanamori Hachiman Jinja Shrine in Shibuya War. First conducted in 2014, the tour had a hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic. One participant, a 53-year-old woman, expressed her appreciation about the historical connections between the tour locations and the ninja schools by Professor Yamada. Two Japanese individuals have been included in the BBC 100 Women 2024 list, released this week by the British public broadcaster. Comedian Naomi Watanabe is recognized for her influence, breaking down barriers in comedy and promoting positivity. Yumi Suzuki, a plaintiff in a forced sterilization lawsuit, was also honored for her legal battles against the Japanese government for social rights. Other notable figures on the list include US track star Allison Felix and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad, who brought attention to the abuse, suffered by Yazidi women in Iraq. South Korea's president, Yeon Suk-Yol, declared martial law in a late night address to protect the country from North Korea and eliminate anti-state elements. However, lawmakers voted to block the move leading to the withdrawal of troops. Yeon, facing corruption scandals and political challenges, had blamed North Korea and the opposition for the need for military rule. The decision to impose martial law was soon reversed following pressure from the National Assembly and mass televised protests. Martial law, last used in South Korea in 1979, allows the military to rule during emergencies and suspense civil rights. The move by President Yeon has gone major international attention, including from Japan. And in other Korea-related news, a Chinese national residing in California, Chianghua Wen, was arrested for assisting North Korea in obtaining restricted weapons and military technology in preparation for an attack on South Korea. Wen allegedly conspired with North Korean officials to smuggle prohibited items into the United States and establish an expert company in Texas to procure firearms and ammunition for shipment to North Korea. The search of his home revealed ammunition, chemical detection equipment, and listening device detection tools intended to be shipped to North Korea. If convicted, Wen faces up to 20 years in prison for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This has been the Tokyo Bill. These stories and more you can read at thetokobill.com. I've been, and remain, Tokyo Bill. Thank you for listening, and take care. [MUSIC PLAYING] [MUSIC PLAYING] (upbeat music) [MUSIC PLAYING]