A hacker posted antiwar slogans on the official Web site of a company in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture, in a case similar to cyber-attacks reported worldwide following the start of the U.S.-led war on Iraq.
Nakanippon Casting Co. said Monday its Web site had been defaced with slogans such as "Hey Bush Stop The War!" The Web site was shut down and the firm plans to increase security measures to help prevent further incidents, company officials said.
Nakanippon Casting specializes in iron casting to manufacture automobile and other machinery parts. Its main clients include Toyota Motor Corp.
Tens of thousands of Web sites in the United States and other countries have reportedly fallen target to similar attacks since the war in Iraq began Thursday.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has been calling for computer security experts at Japanese companies to check server software and take other precautions.