[Important] Unauthorized Access to the "Hiroshima for Global Peace" Website (Fourth Report)

On December 30, 2024, the "Hiroshima for Global Peace" website (hereinafter referred to as "the website") experienced unauthorized access. We have cooperated with the Hiroshima Prefectural Police to conduct investigations and inquiries. We would like to report on the findings and the future restoration of the website.

For details regarding the unauthorized access, please refer to the attached FAQ at the bottom of the page.

 

1. Investigation Results:

As a result of the investigation, it has been confirmed that the perpetrator gained unauthorized access to the server by exploiting software vulnerabilities, and stole information such as the email distribution list and member information. The perpetrator then sent suspicious emails to members.

 

2. Request for Preventing Secondary Damage:

The police are continuing their investigation into the perpetrator of this incident to prevent further harm. To prevent further damage, we ask for your continued cooperation in the following:

 

(1) Attention to suspicious emails:

If you receive a suspicious email, please delete the email without opening any attachments or clicking any links in the email body.

 

(2) Change of Passwords:

If you have registered on this website and use the same password for other services, please change it promptly.

This applies to:

・Members of the "Hiroshima for Global Peace" website

・Organizations registered with the "Peace Platform Hiroshima"

 

(3) In case you have suffered any damage, please contact the number listed in section 4. We will cooperate with the police.

 

3. The handling of website members and restoration of the website:

Regarding the handling of website members and restoration of the website, we have carefully considered the matter with all involved parties. As a result of these discussions, we would like to report the following.

(1) Website Membership System and Email Magazine Delivery Service:

As information will be disseminated using the prefecture's official website, the website membership system and email magazine delivery service will be discontinued. Moving forward, information dissemination will be carried out through the prefecture's official website and the official social media channels of the"Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe)"

 

(2) About the "Peace Platform Hiroshima":

The page of the "Peace Platform Hiroshima" (for companies and organizations) will be suspended for a while. We will consider the future direction, posting methods, and content of the platform.

 

(3) Restoration of the Website:

Due to the unauthorized access, article data that was previously posted on the website was stolen by the perpetrator. As the restoration process will require a considerable amount of time, we have decided to restore the information on the Hiroshima Prefecture official website. Starting from February 17, 2025, we have been gradually resuming information dissemination on the prefecture's official website.

Additionally, we have launched a special site commemorating the 80th year of the atomic bombing and the end of the World War2within the prefecture's official website.​

Hiroshima Prefecture Official Website (Peace Promotion Project Team Page): https://www.pref.hiroshima.lg.jp/soshiki/232/

80th Remembrance of Hiroshima Special Website：https://www.pref.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/peace80-en/

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4. Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact us at the following address.

 

Contact:

Hiroshima Prefecture Regional Policy Bureau, Peace Promotion Project Team, "Hiroshima for Global Peace" Unauthorized Access Response Desk

Email: globalpeace@pref.hiroshima.jp

Phone:+81-(0)82-513-2366

 

We deeply apologize for the considerable inconvenience caused to website members, registered organizations, website users, and all parties involved.