Japan finance ministry worker loses sensitive files on night out

A Japanese Ministry of Finance employee lost a document containing the personal information of 187 individuals suspected of drug smuggling during a dinner with colleagues, an incident that has garnered widespread attention from local media. This event has sparked public concerns about the information security management of government departments.

According to reports, the unnamed employee had dinner with colleagues in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, on February 6, consuming nine glasses of beer during the five-hour gathering. Local media stated that the employee realized he had lost the bag containing the important documents after taking a train back to his home in Sumida Ward, near Tokyo.

The Ministry of Finance expressed its deep regret for the incident, which it described to public broadcaster NHK as a "serious breach of public trust." The department has launched an internal investigation to assess the impact of the incident and take necessary remedial measures.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the lost bag contained a document recording the names and addresses of 187 suspected drug smugglers and cannabis seed recipients. In addition, the bag also contained a government-issued laptop with the employee's personal data. The employee belongs to the Customs and Tariff Bureau, and his name was not disclosed in NHK's report.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) contacted the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday (a public holiday in Japan) seeking comment on the matter. In Japan, alcohol has long been considered a social lubricant, with business negotiations and thorny issues often conducted with the accompaniment of beer and sake, based on the belief that drinking can create a more relaxed atmosphere for discussion.