Alert: Suspicious Emails Posing as JMRI Chairman Tomonori Tomura

On January 22, 2026, the Japan Management Research Institute (JMRI) issued a significant alert regarding a series of suspicious emails circulating that falsely portray the institute's chairman, Tomonori Tomura. These emails, which include bare messages such as "Are you at the office now?", have been reported by various individuals and organizations both domestically and internationally.

Understanding these fraudulent communications is essential for ensuring safety and security in professional settings. The JMRI has expressed deep concern for the public's health and safety in light of various natural disasters, conflicts, and other distressing situations across the globe while also mourning the loss of individuals affected by these crises.

The fraudulent emails have taken a new approach by impersonating the chairman directly, utilizing his full name, which consists of four kanji characters. This alteration appears aimed at increasing the likelihood of confusion for recipients. Tomonori Tomura himself has received these emails from entirely unrelated addresses, raising further alarm about the methods used to deceive individuals and organizations.

Characteristics of Suspect Emails

- Email Subject: Tomonori Tomura
- Sender Display Name: Tomonori Tomura
- Sender Email Address: Completely unrelated to JMRI
- Message Content: Typically a single line querying about being at the office

It’s important to note that the email display name can be easily manipulated, and there are instances where fraudulent messages may use JMRI's legitimate email addresses to create an impression of authenticity. Previously seen emails primarily displayed English text, lacking the detailed representation of Tomura's name, making this recent development particularly worrying for all associated parties.

Moreover, similar unsolicited communications pretending to be from CEOs or top executives are reportedly observing a surge, and a quick internet search using phrases like "Are you at the office now?" reveals numerous warnings about similar fraudulent emails.

The JMRI advises that those who regularly correspond with the chairman already understand these risks, and they have made it clear that the genuine email addresses utilized by Tomonori Tomura for correspondence are @jmri.co.jp, @jmri.tokyo, or a designated unified email for direct communication. It’s crucial to understand that communication from free email services such as Gmail (e.g., @gmail.com) for work-related matters will not happen.

Precautionary Steps

The institute urges everyone to refrain from replying to suspicious emails, clicking on links, scanning QR codes, or taking any immediate actions suggested in these messages. If recipients are uncertain about the legitimacy of any email correspondence, they should contact the JMRI through their official website for verification: Official Contact Form.

For additional insights, the Information-Technology Promotion Agency (IPA) in Japan has provided helpful illustrations and explanations about business email scams which can be found at IPA Scam Patterns.

The JMRI expresses sincere apologies to anyone who may have been distressed or inconvenienced by this fraudulent communication. Their primary intention is through this alert to protect individuals from potential harm.

Contact Information

For further inquiries regarding this release, please reach out to:
Japan Management Research Institute, LLC
Chairman Tomonori Tomura
Address: BIZMARKS Akasaka, 2-16-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052
Phone: 050-3196-4513 (automated voice response system & operators)
Website: www.jmri.co.jp

For urgent press inquiries or public interest cases, the JMRI is prepared to respond to calls directly. However, they require that all complaints or grievances be filed through their specified online form to ensure professional handling. Further detailed requirements for complaint submissions are outlined on their website.

Ultimately, awareness and vigilance are key in mitigating the risks associated with these fraudulent activities.