TOKYO -- A recent currency theft at the Bank of Japan has badly damaged confidence in the institution and revealed deep-rooted complacency. This is both disturbing and ironic, given that the central bank's primary role is to be the chief guardian of the nation's currency.
The central bank confirmed last week that an employee in the currency issuance department -- the place with the sole responsibility for overseeing the circulation of notes and coins -- had been fired for stealing valuable commemorative gold coins.
