Japan's MUFG Bank deposit box thefts reveal lax security, hidden cash

Use of safes to hold cash with little oversight opened door to crime

20241220N cash

 Many Japanese bank customers store cash in safe deposit boxes, opening the door to crimes including theft and tax evasion. (Photo by Takuya Imai)

KANAKO WATABE, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- The alleged theft of more than 1 billion yen ($6.4 million) in assets from MUFG Bank's safe deposit boxes has jolted public confidence in the country's largest bank, with the crime exploiting its outdated business practice.

On Monday, MUFG Bank President Junichi Hanzawa held a news conference to apologize for the theft by a former acting branch manager. But there is one issue that the bank decline to elaborate on.

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