【‬‭‭NEWS RELEASE‬‭】‬‭July 3, 2024‬‭KADOKAWA CORPORATION‬‭Notification and Apology Concerning Information‬‭Leakage caused by the Ransomware Attack‬‭ ‬‭KADOKAWA CORPORATION (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo;‬‭Chief Executive Officer: Takeshi‬‭Natsuno; hereinafter “KADOKAWA”) expresses deep apologies for the significant concern and trouble‬‭caused to its readers, users, writers, creators, business partners, shareholders, investors, and other‬‭stakeholders by the system failure currently affecting the KADOKAWA Group.‬‭After the discovery of a significant cyberattack including ransomware targeting‬‭Niconico‬‭and the related‬s‭ ervices, the KADOKAWA Group promptly established a task force and commenced an ongoing‬‭investigation into the possibility of information leakage with assistance including external professional‬‭organizations. In the process, KADOKAWA Group is investigating the data revealed by the cybercriminal‬‭organization regarding the claim that it leaked KADOKAWA Group’s data. We report the information that we‬‭recognized is likely to have been leaked by our investigation as below.‬‭ In addition, we have confirmed a high possibility of the leakage of some information concerning‬‭KADOKAWA DWANGO Educational Institute, for which DWANGO Co., Ltd., a Group company of‬‭KADOKAWA CORPORATION, provides educational content and systems.‬‭ We sincerely apologize to the students, the graduates, their parents, and all those concerned for any‬
‭concern and trouble this may cause.‬‭ Note that KADOKAWA does not itself store credit card information on KADOKAWA Group customers,‬‭including customers of Niconico services. This structure prevents the leakage of this information from‬‭KADOKAWA, as we have already announced.‬‭ In July, we expect to receive accurate information based on the findings of external professional‬‭organizations. We shall report this as soon as it is ascertained.‬‭◆ Types of Information Likely to have been Leaked (as of July 3, 2024)‬‭[External Information]‬‭●‬ P‭ ersonal information of some students and graduates of N Progressive School and N/S High‬‭Schools, and their parents‬‭●‬ C‭ ontracts with some creators, sole proprietors and companies with whom DWANGO Co., Ltd.‬‭does business‬‭●‬ P‭ ersonal information of some creators who use music monetization services (NRC) of‬‭DWANGO Co., Ltd.‬‭●‬ ‭Information on companies operated by some former employees of DWANGO Co., Ltd.‬‭1‬‭[Internal Information]‬‭●‬ P‭ ersonal information on all DWANGO Co., Ltd. employees (including contract workers, temp‬‭workers, part-time workers, and some retired employees)‬‭●‬ ‭Personal information on some employees of affiliated companies of DWANGO Co., Ltd.‬‭●‬ ‭Internal documents of DWANGO Co., Ltd. including legal documents‬‭ The attack mainly targeted the dedicated file server of DWANGO Co., Ltd., and no trace of the attack has‬‭been confirmed at this moment on the system storing the information of authors, creators, and customers‬‭with whom KADOKAWA CORPORATION does business. We have confirmed that personal information of‬‭some authors and creators who had direct dealings with DWANGO Co., Ltd. has been leaked, but not‬‭confirmed any leakage of information for those who did not have direct dealings with DWANGO Co., Ltd.‬‭◆ Notification to Affected Persons‬‭ e extend our apologies and shall individually notify the students, graduates of KADOKAWA DWANGO‬W‭Educational Institute, and their parents, as well as creators, business partners, and former employees,‬‭whose information is newly confirmed as being affected by the leakage. Furthermore, we have established a‬‭dedicated helpdesk for inquiries concerning this incident. We shall also explain the matter to our affected‬‭employees. For those who cannot be contacted individually, this announcement shall serve as notification.‬‭It is possible that such personal information will be maliciously exploited, and unsolicited email including‬‭phishing mail and spam mail will be sent. Please take all precautions if you receive a suspicious email.‬‭<Dedicated Helpdesk for Information Leakage Inquiries*>‬‭1. For users, creators and business partners‬‭https://qa.nicovideo.jp/helpdesk?category_id=982&faq_id=22764&site_domain=default‬‭2. For the students, graduates of KADOKAWA DWANGO Educational Institute, and their parents‬‭https://qa.nicovideo.jp/helpdesk?category_id=984&faq_id=22986&site_domain=default‬‭*Japanese only‬‭Be aware that accessing or downloading data files from websites which the organization claims to have‬‭ ttacked comes with risks, such as malware infection. Although we are currently investigating what the‬a‭organization claims, we ask for your understanding and cooperation in refraining from sharing the leaked‬‭information on social media or elsewhere, as the spread of this personal information could have serious‬‭repercussions by infringing upon privacy.‬‭ he police have already begun an investigation into this case. In addition, KADOKAWA is providing the‬T‭relevant authorities with necessary reports. As previously reported, the KADOKAWA Group's business‬‭activities have been affected to a certain extent, but we shall stand firm in our response rather than give in to‬‭such criminal acts.‬‭ eanwhile, we take this situation very seriously. While proceeding with a more in-depth investigation of‬M‭the cause, we will further strengthen our information security systems to prevent a recurrence.‬‭KADOKAWA reiterates its deepest apologies to our customers and all those concerned for the‬‭considerable concern and trouble this matter has caused.‬‭End of document‬‭ or media inquiries, please contact:‬
F‭Investor and Public Relations Division, KADOKAWA CORPORATION‬‭Email: pr-dept@kadokawa.jp‬‭2‬