A Japanese finance ministry employee lost documents containing the personal information of 187 individuals suspected of drug smuggling while out drinking with colleagues, according to local media reports.
The unnamed employee reportedly consumed nine glasses of beer over the course of a five-hour gathering with co-workers in Yokohama, a city south of Tokyo, on the night of 6 February.
According to local media, the employee only realized his bag was missing after getting off a train in Sumida, a city near central Tokyo, while heading home.
In response to the incident, the finance ministry issued a statement expressing regret, saying it was “deeply sorry” for what had happened, as it had “significantly undermined public trust,” public broadcaster NHK reported.
Japanese Ministry Worker Faces InvestigationThe bag contained documents listing the names and addresses of 187 individuals suspected of drug smuggling, as well as recipients of marijuana seeds, the ministry confirmed.
Additionally, it held business laptops that contained the employee’s personal information. The employee, who is assigned to the customs and tariff bureau, was not identified in NHK’s report.
For thousands of years, alcohol has played a significant role in Japanese social culture, where it is often seen as a means of fostering connections.
Business deals and difficult discussions are frequently conducted over drinks, as alcohol is believed to create a more relaxed atmosphere for such interactions.