Japan Defense Ministry Disciplines 19 SDF Personnel Over 11 Secret-Handling Breaches

Overview

• Officials identified 11 new cases of improper handling of designated secrets, disciplining 19 personnel, with action completed in eight cases and procedures underway for three.
• The penalties comprised six suspensions, two pay reductions, five formal reprimands, and six admonitions.
• An information-security noncommissioned officer in a Hokkaido Air Self-Defense Force unit falsified about 50 clearance expiry records and designated four personnel whose qualifications had lapsed or were absent.
• A Maritime Self-Defense Force sergeant created materials containing designated secrets without required procedures during submarine duty and took them home after a transfer, while other cases included mis-sent emails and unauthorized disposal of documents.
• The ministry reported no confirmed external leakage of classified information and said it will update information-protection training and introduce tests to gauge understanding.