New Worm Brewing in Japan?

The vauge nature of these media reports makes it difficult to tell if this is a new worm or an old one. All three news stories are very similar.

A new computer virus called "bot," which creates networks of infected computers to mount attacks on specific websites, is spreading, National Police Agency officials said Saturday. The NPA has been monitoring the new virus around the clock, calling on computer users to beware of possible infection.

Source: New computer virus 'bot' spreading, Japan Today, Saturday, January 29, 2005. Also see New virus suspected of infecting 2,500 PCs in Japan, India Times,  January 29, 2005, and New 'bot' virus suspected of infecting 2,500 computers in Japan, AFP (via Yahoo!), January 29, 2005.

As always, additional information appreciated. I'll update as needed, should I get more details that confirm or deny something new is happening.