Japan punishes hundreds of defense officials for mishandling classified data and other misconduct

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s defense ministry announced disciplinary action on Friday against more than 200 senior officials and service members over mishandling of classified materials and other misconduct, an embarrassment that could undermine Tokyo’s efforts to work more closely with United States and other partners in the face of China’s growing threat.

The Ministry and its Self Defense Forces have been under scrutiny over allegations that members of the navy violated the sensitive information protection law, as well as other misconduct such as falsely claiming allowances for special assignments, or wrongfully claiming free meals at base cafeterias. Ministerial staff were also accused of abuses of power.

Defense Minister Minoru Kihara apologized, saying the problems “significantly damaging to the public trust” for the ministry and Japan’s defense forces. “I’m keenly aware of my responsibility.”

He blamed a lack of discipline across the organization.

Kihara said the ministry’s investigation found that classified information was mishandled on 38 destroyers and submarines, but said no sensitive information leaked outside of military or caused any harm. People without appropriate clearances were were routinely assigned to duties that involved sensitive information.

But the issue is an embarrassment and could undermine Japan’s reputation as a trusted defense partner at a time Japan accelerates its military cooperation with the United States, Australia, U.K. and other western partners, in hopes of playing greater roles in areas that involve intelligence.

“Ensuring intelligence protection is extremely important for our cooperation with the ally and other like-minded countries, and we should never let this kind of problem happen