Japan Takes Action After Defense Scandals, Replaces Navy Chief and Punishes Over 200 Officials

Japan has taken disciplinary action against over 200 defense officials, including the replacement of the navy chief, following a series of scandals involving the mishandling of classified information and fraudulent pay claims. These incidents, some of the most widespread within the Japanese defense establishment in recent years, raise concerns about Tokyo’s commitment to strengthening its military in the face of growing regional tensions with China and North Korea. 

“These problems have betrayed the public trust and are unacceptable,” Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said Friday in Tokyo, adding he would return one month of his salary to acknowledge his own responsibility. He pledged steps to prevent a recurrence.

The scandals involved classified information about warship movements being made accessible to individuals without proper security clearance, as well as numerous navy divers claiming hazard pay for duties they hadn’t actually performed, the ministry said. There were also instances of ministry officials verbally harassing subordinates, the ministry added.

Around 220 officials are facing punishments ranging from dismissals to formal reprimands, according to the ministry.

Japan’s navy, known as the Maritime Self-Defense Force, is at the center of many of the misconduct charges. Admiral Ryo Sakai, the MSDF chief of staff, said in a that he would step down on July 19 to take responsibility.

“Taking this opportunity, please accept my deepest apology for the disappointment caused,” he said in the statement posted to a ministry webpage.

The revelations could increase public opposition to increased defense spending.

Japan is in the midst of increasing defense spending to around 2% of gross domestic product from around 1% over five years through 2028. The government has yet to decide how it will fund the additional spending required for weapons such as missiles and fighter jets. Public opinion polls indicate opposition to tax hikes to cover the extra defense costs.

In its annual defense white paper, released Friday, Japan stated it had secured 42% of the ¥43.5 trillion ($273 billion) total required to finance the planned defense build-up.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, speaking after attending a NATO summit meeting in Washington, said he had instructed Kihara to address the issues and strengthen leadership to restore public trust.

“Looking back on the NATO meeting, it’s clear that we are facing an extremely serious security environment. With that in mind, Japan can’t afford to have any lapses in our own security,” Kishida said. 

The defense scandals add another challenge to Kishida’s efforts to maintain his position in power. His approval ratings are at historic lows due to his handling of a separate political funding scandal and the impact of rising prices on households.