Nikkei Warns of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force Used USB Drives Infected with a China

Cybersecuritynews •Tushar Subhra Dutta • June 26, 2026

A serious cybersecurity breach has come to light in Japan, where the country’s Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) unknowingly used malware-infected USB drives on computers connected to classified military networks. The incident lasted for nearly a year before anyone noticed. What makes this case especially alarming is not just the breach itself, but the fact that […]

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Malware-Infected USB Drives Compromise Japan's Self-Defense Forces Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force unknowingly used counterfeit USB drives embedded with malware linked to Chinese hackers for nearly a year. The incident came to light after personnel noticed abnormal computer performance in February 2025. Investigations revealed that six out of eight tested USB drives contained the same malicious software. These drives were connected to over 50 computers, many of which accessed sensitive command information. The counterfeit drives were procured during disaster relief operations in March 2024 and were found to have significantly lower storage capacity than advertised. The malware was not detected due to antivirus software not scanning USB drives at the time. The incident raises serious concerns about cybersecurity protocols within Japan's defense infrastructure. 7 sources 74

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Nikkei Warns of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force Used USB Drives Infected with a China

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