What’s going on here?
Muji and The Loft have hit pause on their online shops after a ransomware attack paralyzed their logistics provider Askul Corp. – marking Japan’s second major retail disruption this month.
What does this mean?
Ryohin Keikaku, the firm behind Muji, and The Loft Co. suspended e-commerce after their logistics partner Askul was hit by ransomware. While Muji’s in-store deliveries are running as usual and internal systems remain unaffected, it’s still unclear when online shopping will resume. The fallout was immediate: Askul shares slid as much as 6%, and Ryohin Keikaku dropped 6.6%. This is already Japan’s second headline-grabbing supply chain incident in a few weeks – the previous attack targeted Asahi Group’s beer production. These back-to-back cyber breaches are putting a spotlight on the rising risks for Japan’s retail sector and its investors.
Why should I care?
For markets: Retail resilience put to the test.
Both Askul and Ryohin Keikaku shares lost over 6% after the news broke, highlighting how easily retail supply chain hiccups can ripple through investor confidence. With Japan’s e-commerce market valued near $200 billion in 2023, frequent cyberattacks threaten not just these businesses but the stability of the broader market.
The bigger picture: Cybersecurity rising up the supply chain agenda.
Two major cyber disruptions in Japan’s consumer sector within a month are ramping up scrutiny of how secure retail supply chains truly are. Recent incidents at Askul and Asahi Group underscore that just one weak point can spell trouble for entire industries. As online shopping and complex logistics increasingly go hand in hand, businesses and policymakers are under growing pressure to toughen up their digital defenses.
