Tokyo Police Report 1,039 Home Improvement Scams, 10 Billion Yen in Losses, and Cyber Attack on Hokkaido Jalan

Tokyo police have reported a rise in home improvement scams that utilize tactics similar to those employed by fraudsters impersonating relatives or public officials over the phone. Authorities have issued warnings regarding a surge in special fraud cases, particularly those involving impersonation of police officers. Between January and February 2025, there were 1,039 reported incidents of such scams, resulting in over 10 billion yen in financial losses. In a related development, the Hokkaido tourism information website 'Hokkaido Jalan' has reportedly suffered a cyber attack, leading to potential personal information leaks. The site, operated by Recruit, has received at least 60 inquiries regarding the incident, with some users receiving emails stating their personal information may have been compromised.