Overview
- A 45-year-old private detective, Miyashita Masato, was arrested on suspicion of violating Japan Post law in a bribery case tied to customer information from the Obihiro post office.
- Police are actively corroborating reports that the detective sought and may have used leaked postal customer data for investigations that focused mainly on infidelity and behavior checks.
- Reporting and police sources say an unnamed contract employee at the Obihiro post office is alleged to have accepted cash in exchange for providing customer records, but details about the amount and number of affected customers remain under investigation.
- If confirmed, the case would show how third-party access by contract staff can expose sensitive records and how demand from private investigators can create pressure points in data protection at Japan Post.
- Authorities are collecting further evidence and seeking potential additional victims, and the probe could prompt legal action against those involved and tighter controls on how postal customer data is handled.