How to Remove Japanese Keywords from Your Hacked WordPress Site

Step-by-step guide to identify, locate, and remove Japanese SEO spam malware from your WordPress website.

By Remerson Souza

January 15, 20258 min read

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If you're dealing with Japanese keywords showing in your Google search results, I can help clean your site completely. Professional removal includes database cleanup, file scanning, and Google recovery assistance.

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What's Happening to Your Site

If you're seeing Japanese characters in your Google search results instead of your normal business information, your WordPress site has been infected with SEO spam malware. This type of attack is designed to be invisible to you while completely hijacking your search engine presence.

Why Hackers Use Japanese Keywords

• Japanese characters are harder for English-speaking site owners to notice immediately
• Creates confusion and delays your response time
• Allows them to promote gambling, pharmaceuticals, or other spam content
• Maximizes the time they can exploit your site's SEO authority

Real SEO Spam Example

Example of Japanese SEO spam showing on Google results for a .co.uk site

Screenshot of a compromised .co.uk website showing Japanese SEO spam keywords in Google results.

Step 1: Verify the Japanese Keywords Attack

Quick Detection Test

1. Go to Google.com
2. Search: site:yourdomain.com
3. Look for Japanese characters in your search results
4. Check both mobile and desktop results

Real Client Case:

One of my clients contacted me last week after discovering his business website was showing Japanese gambling advertisements in Google instead of his services. The site looked completely normal when he visited it directly, but Google was indexing hidden spam content that was invisible to regular visitors.

Step 2: Check These Common Infection Locations

Based on hundreds of cleanup cases, here are the most common places where Japanese keywords malware hides. Start with these locations, but remember that sophisticated attacks often use multiple hiding spots.

Theme Files (Most Common)

• header.php - Check for suspicious PHP code at top or bottom
• footer.php - Look for encoded strings or extra PHP
• functions.php - Search for recent additions or obfuscated code
• index.php - Check for redirects or injected content

Database Tables (Advanced)

• wp_options - Check template and stylesheet options
• wp_posts - Look for Japanese content in post content
• wp_postmeta - Search for SEO-related meta injections
• wp_usermeta - Check for malicious user data

Real Case Example:

One of my clients spent hours checking obvious locations like plugins and recent file changes. When I scanned his site, the Japanese keywords malware was actually hidden in an encoded Base64 string inside footer.php, disguised to look like legitimate code. It was completely invisible unless you knew exactly what to decode and search for.

Step 3: Scan with Security Tools

Manual inspection is time-consuming and easy to miss hidden malware. These tools can help detect Japanese keywords infections more efficiently:

Wordfence Security (Free)

Install the Wordfence plugin and run a complete site scan. It can detect many Japanese keywords infections and show you exact file locations.

How to use: Install plugin → Security → Scan → Review results for "SEO Spam" or "Malware"

Sucuri SiteCheck (Online)

Free online scanner that checks your site from Google's perspective - often catches Japanese keywords that other tools miss.

How to use: Visit sitecheck.sucuri.net → Enter your URL → Review malware and SEO spam results

Why Automated Scans Sometimes Miss Infections

Sophisticated Japanese keywords malware uses advanced encoding and hiding techniques. One of my clients had a "clean" Wordfence scan, but professional tools found malware in 7 different locations. Attackers are constantly evolving their methods to bypass standard security plugins.

Finding This More Complex Than Expected?

Japanese keywords attacks are sophisticated and often involve multiple infection points. If you're not finding obvious malware or want guaranteed complete removal, I can handle the entire cleanup process for you.

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Step 4: Remove Malware from Common Locations

Important Warning

Always backup your site before making any changes. Incorrect file modifications can break your website completely. If you're not comfortable with code editing, professional cleanup is recommended.

Cleaning Theme Files

1. Access your site files via FTP or cPanel File Manager
2. Navigate to /wp-content/themes/[your-theme]/
3. Download backup copies of header.php, footer.php, functions.php
4. Look for suspicious PHP code, especially:

• Base64 encoded strings
• eval() functions
• Recently added code at file tops/bottoms
• JavaScript redirects or hidden content

5. Remove suspicious code and save files

Database Cleanup (Advanced)

Database cleaning requires technical knowledge. Consider professional help for this step.

1. Access phpMyAdmin or your database management tool
2. Backup your entire database first
3. Search wp_options table for Japanese characters
4. Check template and stylesheet_root options
5. Remove malicious entries carefully

Step 5: Verify Complete Removal

Immediate Verification

Re-scan with Wordfence and other security tools
Check Google search results again (may take 24-48 hours to update)
Test your site in incognito mode and on mobile devices
Monitor Google Search Console for security warnings

Why Infections Often Return

Japanese keywords malware frequently returns because attackers create multiple backdoors. One of my clients successfully removed obvious malware but contacted me again two weeks later when Japanese keywords reappeared. We found 4 additional hidden injection points the initial cleanup had missed.

Preventing Future Japanese Keywords Attacks

Essential Security Measures

Update WordPress core, themes, and plugins regularly
Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts
Enable two-factor authentication on WordPress admin
Install a reputable security plugin like Wordfence
Regular automated backups

Ongoing Monitoring

Weekly malware scans
Monitor Google Search Console for warnings
Regular Google searches for your site
File integrity monitoring
Professional security audits

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does manual Japanese keywords removal take?

Simple theme file infections can be cleaned in 1-2 hours if you know exactly where to look. Complex database injections and multi-location attacks typically require 6-12 hours for complete removal and verification.

What if I can't find the malware in common locations?

Modern Japanese keywords attacks often use advanced hiding techniques including server-level injections, encoded database entries, and distributed file infections. Professional tools can scan 100+ potential locations simultaneously.

Will Google automatically restore my search results after cleanup?

Google typically takes 1-4 weeks to fully restore clean search results. You can speed this up by submitting a reconsideration request in Google Search Console and requesting re-indexing of your key pages.

Why do security plugins sometimes miss Japanese keywords malware?

Attackers constantly evolve their techniques to bypass common security plugins. They use advanced encoding, legitimate-looking code injection, and time-delayed activation. Professional malware removal uses specialized tools and manual inspection techniques.

Still Seeing Japanese Keywords in Google?

If manual removal didn't completely solve the problem, or if you want guaranteed results without the technical hassle, I can handle the entire cleanup process for you - including hidden malware that automated tools often miss.

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About Remerson Souza

WordPress security specialist with 5+ years experience removing Japanese keywords malware from business websites. I've successfully cleaned 200+ sites affected by SEO spam attacks, helping business owners restore their Google search presence quickly and completely.

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