UPDATE - Amid scandals, Japan to replace maritime defense chief, sacks defense officials

ADDS NEW INFO; CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Serdar Dincel and Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan on Friday announced the replacement of its maritime defense chief and dismissed and suspended other defense force officials over issues including alleged mishandling of sensitive information, Kyodo news reported.

The Defense Ministry said it disciplined a total of 218 Self-Defense Forces members and senior bureaucrats for issues including mishandling classified information and eating and drinking in base cafeterias without paying.

The ministry reported that there were 58 instances of inappropriate handling of confidential information within the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces, including 38 from the Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japanese NHK news reported.

The individuals facing disciplinary actions are also accused of abuse of power.

Of these, 11 were dismissed, two demoted, 83 suspended, 14 got pay cuts, and seven were formally reprimanded. The remaining individuals were either admonished or warned.

Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru announced plans to reform the Maritime Self-Defense Force. He said he would replace Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Adm. Sakai Ryo on July 19.

A growing number of scandals are said to have led to rising public distrust towards the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the ministry.

The fraudulent practices, believed to have involved dozens of Maritime Self-Defense Forces members, are thought to have been common in recent year.

Regarding abuse of power cases, three high-ranking ministry officials at the director level or above are accused of repeatedly making intimidating remarks to their subordinates, causing psychological distress.

The behavior was uncovered during or after a ministry special investigation into various forms of harassment in all SDF units from September 2022 to August 2023, following a high-profile sexual abuse case involving former female Ground Self-Defense Force member Rina Gonoi.