Overview

• The Mint said a re‑employed Hiroshima bureau worker in his 60s unlawfully removed 174 recovered 500‑yen coins worth ¥87,000 during June 26–28.
• An internal report at the end of June led to a review that confirmed the loss, with surveillance footage from June 26 showing the coins being taken outside.
• The employee admitted part of the misconduct, saying he used coins for shopping and calling it a momentary lapse, and he has since died.
• Investigators found the exit metal detector was not properly operated because helmet fragments routinely triggered alarms that were not followed by thorough checks.
• The Mint imposed pay cuts on three meltdown‑section staff, issued warnings to the bureau chief and others, said some executives voluntarily returned pay, and noted it consulted Hiroshima police in July with a criminal referral under consideration.