Cyberattacks halts work at Toyota Japan plants
Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, said Monday that it had suspended all production in Japan after a possible cyberattack at a major supplier.
The stoppage followed a problem with computer systems at Kojima Industries, a manufacturer of automotive components, that disrupted the company’s ordering systems. The problem first appeared Saturday night, and the company decided to shut down its computer network to prevent the issue from spreading to customers, a company spokesperson said.
Kojima Industries has not yet been able to determine the cause of the problem, but it suspects a cyberattack or virus. The company’s website remained down Monday evening.
In comments at a news conference on the situation in Ukraine, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan said that the government was aware of the Toyota shutdown and was investigating the cause.
Cyberattacks have become increasingly common in Japan in recent years. Japanese companies have been slow to update their networks to account for the growing use of ransomware by criminals, as well as intrusions by state actors. Manufacturers have been the most common targets for the attacks, which can essentially hold computer systems and valuable data hostage.
Russian ruble plummets as sanctions hit economy
Ordinary Russians are facing the prospect of higher prices as Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine sent the ruble plummeting. That’s led uneasy people to line up at banks and ATMs in a country that has seen more than one currency disaster in the post-Soviet era.
The Russian currency plunged about 30% against the U.S. dollar after Western nations announced moves to block some Russian banks from the SWIFT international payment system and to restrict Russia’s use of its massive foreign currency reserves. The exchange rate later recovered ground after swift action by Russia’s central bank.
Shell to pull out of Russian energy
Shell says it’s pulling out of Russia as President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine continues to cost the country’s all-important energy industry foreign investment and expertise.
The company on Monday announced its intention to exit joint ventures with Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom and related entities. That includes stakes in a key liquefied natural gas project and two projects that are developing oil fields in Siberia. Shell also intends to end its involvement in the now-halted Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline.
BP announced plans Sunday to shed an almost 20% stake in Russian-controlled Rosneft. Norway’s Equinor said Monday that it would halt new investment in Russia and begin selling holdings there.
Study says smoking ban cuts 2,500 casino jobs
Amid a renewed push to ban smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos, a new report released Wednesday predicts that doing so could cost up to 2,500 casino jobs and nearly 11% of casinos’ revenue as they struggle to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.
The independent gambling research firm Spectrum Gaming Group compiled the report that supports casinos’ longstanding contention that eliminating smoking would hurt their business, deprive New Jersey of tax revenue and put thousands of people out of work.
A group of casino workers and smoking opponents criticized the report, saying it prioritizes profits over the health of employees and customers. They also said it fails to examine what would happen in subsequent years as patrons get used to a smoking ban, citing the experience of some tribal casinos where it rebounded.
The Casino Association of New Jersey commissioned the report, which did not recommend whether smoking should be banned, an option that is gaining renewed support in the state Legislature. New Jersey’s Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, has said he will sign a smoking ban into law if a bill is passed.
– Compiled by Dave Flessner