Japanese nuclear regulator employee loses phone containing sensitive info in China

The Japan’s nuclear regulator has reported the loss of a work-issued smartphone containing highly sensitive contact information after an employee misplaced the device while travelling in China late last year, according to The Japan Times. The Nuclear Regulation Authority said the smartphone was lost during a personal trip to China in November and has not been recovered.

It contained the names and contact details of staff in charge of nuclear security information that is not publicly disclosed due to its high level of confidentiality. The agency has notified the Personal Information Protection Commission, saying it cannot rule out the possibility of an information leak, although no misuse has been confirmed. The story originally appeared on 7 January 2026.