{
  "id": 15707129,
  "title": "Chinese AI tool behind cyberattacks in Japan: security firm",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/chinese-ai-tool-behind-cyberattacks-in-japan-security-firm-15707129",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-20T05:52:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20261020/chinese-ai-tool-behind-cyberattacks-in-japan-security-firm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japanese companies have been targeted in a series of recent cyberattacks using an AI tool developed in China, according to a subsidiary of a major Tokyo-based internet company. The information security arm of GMO Internet Group confirmed the use of the Chinese tool, Artex, in multiple attacks on various businesses, from restaurant chains to car hire operators. These attacks potentially affected millions of customers. GMO investigated the incidents in collaboration with external organizations. Daiki Fukumori of GMO noted that the attacks were primarily focused on Japan. Artex was designed to help organizations bolster their cyber defenses by utilizing AI-powered security testing to identify potential vulnerabilities. However, the Chinese tool recently restricted programmers from accessing its source code, revealing its misuse by malicious actors.",
  "summary": "TOKYO — A Chinese AI cybersecurity tool called Artex was used in a spate of recent hacks of Japanese companies, the subsidiary of a major Tokyo-based internet company said Tuesday. Dozens of Japanese companies, from restaurant chains to a car hire operator, have disclosed unauthorized access or data breaches in recent weeks -- potentially impacting millions of customers. The information security…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Security firm finds China-linked AI agent behind Japan cyberattacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/security-firm-finds-china-linked-ai-agent-behind-japan-cyberattacks",
        "published": "2026-10-20T04:23:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Chinese AI tool behind cyberattacks in Japan: Security firm",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/chinese-ai-tool-behind-cyberattacks-in-japan-security-firm",
        "published": "2026-10-20T05:28:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Chinese AI tool behind cyberattacks in Japan: security firm",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/chinese-ai-tool-behind-cyberattacks-in-japan-security-firm-15710699",
        "published": "2026-10-20T06:42:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}