Island Dispute Sets Off Chinese Cyber-attack against Japan; 19 Japanese Websites Hit, 300 Targeted

China appears to have begun a cyber-war against Japan amid the two countries` dispute over East China Sea islands, notes zdnet. At least 19 Japanese websites were hit, according to a report from Japan`s National Police Association (NPA).

NPA said on Wednesday that information about 300 Japanese organizations being targeted surfaced on the message board of Honker, a Chinese hacker group, and that thousands of messages referring to prospective attacks were also visible on Chinese chat platform YY Chat.

It was confirmed that access to the Statistics Bureau of Japan and the government`s Internet TV was, indeed, compromised, and that another eight websites, including those of a court and a university hospital, were defaced by those opposing the Japanese government`s purchase of the Senkaku group of islands.

The NPA is keeping a closer eye on online message boards and chat platforms in an attempt to prevent further outbursts. The other potential targets are also to receive a warning.