By KOHEI HIGASHITANI/ Staff Writer
October 20, 2025 at 16:54 JST
Askul Corp.’s website informs customers about a system failure. (Captured from Askul Corp.’s website)
Damage from a ransomware attack that has crippled operations at Askul Corp., a major office supply e-commerce company, has spread to at least one other company.
Askul said the cyberattack resulted in a system failure on Oct. 19, and there is currently no timeline for recovery. The company said it is investigating whether customer information has been leaked.
Askul has suspended its order-receiving and shipping operations on its corporate-focused e-commerce site, “ASKUL,” and its consumer-focused site, “LOHACO.”
Orders received on Oct. 19 that have not yet been shipped will be canceled.
Askul’s official website was inaccessible for a certain period.
Tokyo-based Ryohin Keikaku Co., which sells MUJI-brand household items, said on Oct. 20 that it had suspended its online sales website due to a system failure caused by Askul’s ransomware infection.
Ryohin Keikaku officials said its own website was not infected, but the company outsources its online sales delivery operations to Askul.
Since Askul does not know when it can recover, it also remains unclear when Ryohin Keikaku will be able to resume its online sales.
Ryohin Keikaku’s website reportedly began experiencing logistics disruptions from around 9 p.m. on Oct. 19, such as orders not proceeding to the shipping stage.
Shortly after noon on Oct. 20, users were still unable to browse or buy products on Ryohin Keikaku’s website.
The company’s smartphone app also became unusable, preventing users from browsing products, placing orders or checking their order history.
Ransomware attacks have hit other Japanese companies recently.
Beverage giant Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. was forced to halt domestic orders and shipments at the end of September because of a cyberattack.
Although some Asahi factory operations have resumed, there is still no timeline for a full recovery.
In 2024, major publishing company Kadokawa Corp. also suffered damage from a ransomware attack.
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