Microsoft 365 outage disrupts email and logistics across 74 countries

A major outage in Microsoft 365 disrupted services for users across 74 countries and regions starting early Friday, Japan time, leaving many unable to access Outlook email and other tools. The disruption has impacted business operations and logistics, though Microsoft has stated there is no evidence of a cyberattack. Microsoft attributed the failure to an unexpected halt of numerous servers, which caused access to concentrate on the remaining ones. The outage forced companies like Sagawa Express to suspend online reservations for baggage services, as they could not send confirmation emails. Workers reported being unable to perform tasks, with some resorting to phone calls and faxes as alternatives. The incident highlighted the broad reliance on email for critical functions such as online booking confirmations, identity verification, and delivery notifications. While Microsoft said recovery was progressing gradually, not all users had returned to normal service by Friday evening. Some businesses reported their email access was restored, but concerns remain about the backlog of messages and the need for contingency plans.