Muji Suspends Online Store After Ransomware Cripples Logistics Partner
The Japanese company Ryohin Keikaku, owner of the Muji brand, has suspended operations of its online store following a cyberattack on its logistics partner, Askul Corp.
According to Ryohin Keikaku, the decision was made late on Sunday, October 19, at 9:00 p.m., and the timeframe for restoring the online platform remains undetermined.
Askul, a company specializing in office supplies and logistics services, reported that it was forced to halt order processing and deliveries after a ransomware attack crippled its systems. Muji’s online orders are fulfilled through ASKUL LOGIST Co., a subsidiary of Askul, which directly affected the retailer’s e-commerce operations.
In an official statement, Ryohin Keikaku emphasized that the incident was limited to its partner’s infrastructure, and that its own systems were not compromised. All brick-and-mortar Muji stores continue to operate as usual.
However, due to the temporary suspension of the online store, certain features of the MUJI App—including order tracking, access to the From the Editor section, and management of monthly subscriptions—are currently unavailable.
Ryohin Keikaku confirmed that it is working in close coordination with Askul to restore services and will notify users once systems are fully operational and data security has been verified.
Askul stated that the investigation is ongoing, as the company works to determine whether personal or client information was compromised. It is also assessing the financial impact and may delay publication of its monthly results, originally scheduled for October 28.
The attack on Askul occurred just weeks after a major cyber incident targeting Japan’s largest brewer, Asahi Group Holdings, which disrupted production and distribution of its Super Dry beer and forced a postponement of its third-quarter financial report.
Following news of the attack, Askul’s shares dropped nearly 6% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, while Ryohin Keikaku’s stock fell by 6.6%.
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