On 19 July Admiral Saito Akira was appointed Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF). He relieved Admiral Sakai Ryo who resigned following reports of mishandling of classified information and other matters. Over 200 JMSDF personnel and bureaucrats have been implicated in the investigations.
There has also been other irregularities including personnel falsely obtaining allowances and incidents of abuses of power. An another investigation has recently been launched into possible corruption involving personnel at Kawasaki Heavy Industries providing money and goods to JMSDF submarine crew members via fictitious transactions with subcontractors.
At the change of command ceremony Admiral Sakai said Admiral Saito is the “right person to reform” the JMSDF, and that the force “cannot afford to stop, given the current severe security environment.” Admiral Saito was formerly the Commander in Chief of Self-Defence Fleet
Opposition parties have also called for Defence Minister Minoru Kihara’s resignation.
Source JMSF
