Japan disciplines 218 SDF members, defense bureaucrats over scandals

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Defense Ministry said Friday it has disciplined 218 Self-Defense Forces members and senior bureaucrats in connection with a spate of issues including the mishandling of classified information, and eating and drinking in base cafeterias without paying.

The individuals subject to disciplinary actions are also accused of abuse of power. Among them, 11 were dismissed, two were demoted, 83 were suspended, 14 received pay cuts and seven were given a formal reprimand. The others were just admonished or warned.

With the scandals mainly affecting the Maritime Self-Defense Force, Adm. Ryo Sakai, chief of staff of the MSDF, will step down on July 19 to take responsibility. He will be replaced by Vice Adm. Akira Saito.

Sakai himself was given a pay cut for failing to adequately control and supervise those serving under him, while others such as Vice Defense Minister Kazuo Masuda and Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of the ministry's Joint Staff, were also admonished.

Speaking to reporters, Sakai said, "I think the root cause is the lack of compliance among the troops and governance ability within the organization."

The revelations are fueling public concern about the ministry and the SDF at a time when Japan has been beefing up its defense capabilities by raising public spending amid increasingly severe security challenges posed by China, North Korea and Russia.

Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said at a press conference, "I am deeply conscious of my responsibility for betraying the public's faith." He apologized when announcing the disciplinary actions and promised to return his salary for a month as a Cabinet member.

Meanwhile, Kihara, who took the current post in September 2023, denied he will resign as Japan's