The top or most interesting stories from Japan for February 5
– A hacker has been sentenced to eight years in prison for hijacking other computers and using them to send messages threatening bombing or hacking, thereby implicating their unwitting users.
Tokyo police admit they didn’t have the know-how to deal with the hacking case; at the same time, Japanese companies are looking to improve cybersecurity.
The government is proposing new laws on big data retention in reaction to a recent series of cybercrimes in Japan, but more likely in response to the recent failed hostage negotiation. (The Japan Times, The Japan News)
– A Nepalese man deported from Japan in November is believed to be helping others forge asylum applications. (The Japan Times, The Japan News)
– Japan’s wages are technically on the rise but have yet to match the inflation rate, partially lifted because of the introduction of the higher 8% consumption tax in Japan.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before the 2012 election, campaigned on his ‘Abenomics’ policy, looking to combat Japan’s struggling economy. Part of this strategy was increasing spending to stimulate the economy, thereby raising wages. (The Japan Times, The Japan News)
