Major Japanese Companies Report Customer Data Breaches

Several large Japanese companies have recently informed the public about cybersecurity breaches affecting their customer data. Aflac's Tokyo operations and Sapporo, a major Japanese brewer, are among the companies that disclosed these incidents. Other affected companies include a manufacturer and a telecommunications provider, though specific details about what data was taken have not been fully revealed.

If you have insurance through Aflac Japan, purchased Sapporo products through their website or loyalty programs, or use services from Japanese telecommunications companies, your personal information may have been accessed by unauthorized individuals. This could include your name, contact information, account numbers, and possibly payment details depending on which company you did business with.

Here is what to do now:

1. Check your email inbox and spam folder for any notifications from Aflac, Sapporo, or other Japanese companies you have accounts with.
2. If you have accounts with any Japanese companies (especially if you live in or have lived in Japan), log in and change your passwords immediately.
3. If you provided credit card information to any of these companies, monitor those card statements closely for the next several months.
4. Be alert for phishing emails that pretend to be from these companies asking you to verify information or click links. This incident serves as a reminder that data breaches happen worldwide, not just to American companies. If you do business with international companies or have lived abroad, include those accounts in your regular security checkups. Make a list of all online accounts you have, including international ones, and schedule time every few months to update passwords and review account activity.