A Japanese finance ministry employee, during a night out with colleagues, reportedly lost sensitive documents that included personal information of 187 individuals linked to drug smuggling. The incident occurred in Yokohama on February 6, after the employee consumed nine glasses of beer over the course of five hours with co-workers. It wasn't until he arrived home in Sumida, after taking the train, that he realized his bag was missing.
The finance ministry expressed its sincere apologies for the mishap, acknowledging that it has "significantly undermined public trust," as reported by local broadcaster NHK. Inside the lost bag were sensitive documents revealing names and addresses of individuals suspected of drug trafficking, alongside a business laptop containing the employee's personal data.
Though the employee, assigned to the customs and tariff bureau, was not named in the NHK coverage, the event highlights ongoing concerns about data security within government agencies. The BBC has pursued a comment from the ministry, although they noted that the incident occurred on a public holiday in Japan.
Culturally, alcohol has played a significant role in Japanese social interactions, often facilitating discussions surrounding business deals and sensitive matters. However, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of impaired judgment during such outings, particularly relating to the handling of sensitive information.
