TOKYO — Japan's defense ministry said Friday it will impose disciplinary action against numerous senior officials and personnel following the mishandling of classified materials and other wrongdoings, that could undermine Tokyo's attempts to work more closely with the United States and other allies.

Of the 218 people disciplined, 11 senior officials were dismissed, two were demoted, dozens were suspended and 14 received pay cuts, while about half of them were warned.

Among senior commanders and defense ministry officials to face discipline, head of Maritime Self Defense Force, Adm. Ryo Sakai, was asked to resign and take responsibility over some of the misconducts.

He will be replaced on July 19 by Akira Saito, currently Self Defense Fleet commander in chief, the defense ministry announced

Japan's Defense 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 were "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 routinely assigned to duties that involved sensitive information.

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, the United Kingdom, and other western partners, 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 again," Kihara said.

He pledged to quickly and thoroughly carry out preventive measures "so that we will not breach trust with other countries."

Earlier this year, Japan passed a new security law that tightened rules on handling sensitive information.

Japan also plans to enact legislation to bolster its cybersecurity defenses.

Kihara said he is giving up his salary for a month, but that his responsibility is to stay on and continue on the reform of the organization instead of stepping down.

"At a time when we cannot let our guard down even for a second... it is my responsibility to do everything to rebuild the Defense Ministry and the Self Defense Force under my leadership as quickly as possible and regain the public trust," Kihara said.

Read The Rest at :