On March 17, 2025, Fukui City officials announced the unfortunate loss of personal information related to Furusato Tax donations. This incident arose from One-Stop Special Application Forms sent to donors outside the prefecture, which were reportedly lost due to insufficient sealing during mailing.
The issue began when the application forms, which streamline the tax return process by eliminating the need for final declarations, were printed on January 2 and sealed by the city's contractor. These forms come as part of a five-page set, meant to clearly outline the details of donations, including information such as the donor's address, name, phone number, date of birth, donation date, and donation amount.
On January 7, 2025, Fukui City officials received reports from at least one donor indicating their envelope had arrived opened, with two of the required application forms missing. "The delivered envelope was open and two application forms were missing," the donor indicated, prompting immediate action from city officials.
Following this inquiry, officials began to investigate the circumstances surrounding the loss of the application forms. They discovered it appeared to be linked to the contractor’s use of machinery, which had malfunctioned, leading to the inadequate sealing of envelopes. Further investigations revealed similar issues with application forms from other municipalities, hinting at broader concerns with the contractor's processes.
Remarkably, Fukui City was the only location confirmed to have lost documents containing personal information. City officials acted quickly, ensuring the affected donor was contacted and informed about the investigation's findings. They also extended their apologies, expressing deep concern over the sensitive nature of the lost data.
To address the situation and avoid future occurrences, Fukui City has taken proactive steps. They instructed their contractor to implement stricter controls on machine management and to create additional verification processes for sealing envelopes. Officials underscored the necessity of these measures to restore public confidence and safeguard personal information.
The loss of any personal information raises significant concerns about privacy and security, especially when it relates to sensitive data like addresses and phone numbers. Citizens have the right to expect their information will be handled with the utmost care, and Fukui City is now making strides to reinforce their commitment to protecting personal data entrusted to them.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for municipalities handling sensitive information. It reinforces the importance of mechanical reliability and quality control measures to prevent similar occurrences. Fukui City aims to emerge stronger from this experience, not only rectifying the current situation but ensuring safeguards are firmly put in place to build trust with its community moving forward.
