Japan's military has been rocked by a series of scandals, including classified leaks, that have seen over 200 people disciplined and the chief of staff of the country's navy resign.
They come as the country's Self-Defense Forces face increasing tensions with neighbors Russia, China and North Korea.
Japan's Defense Ministry on Friday announced disciplinary action against 218 military personnel and bureaucrats. The naval force, or Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), was worst affected.
An investigation discovered crew members of several destroyers had tasked crewmates without relevant security clearance to record ship movements, constituting unauthorized sharing of sensitive classified information.
The JMSDF has one of the most modern fleets in the Indo-Pacific region, where it is a major partner of the United States Navy. The nations conduct joint-exercises and operations in contested waters like the East China Sea and the South China Sea on a regular basis.
Japan will soon field its first aircraft carriers since World War II as it faces an increasingly assertive China, which has two conventional aircraft carriers in operation with a third currently undergoing sea trials.
The JMSDF has been busy monitoring Chinese and Russian naval ships in waters around the archipelagic country. The quasi-alliance of China and Russia has enhanced military cooperation to counter the security alliance of the U.S. and Japan.
Ballistic missile defense is a major task for the JMSDF. It has equipped a fleet of destroyers with the advanced American-designed Aegis system, which is capable of shooting down ballistic missiles launched by nuclear-armed neighbor North Korea.
Some JMSDF members allegedly collected allowances for training and duties they did not participate in, a practice that is believed to have been accepted in the force. The total amount of the benefit claims could be as high as 43 million yen ($270,000), Japan's Kyodo News reported.
Also, three high-level defense ministry officials were found guilty of intimidating subordinates and causing them "psychological suffering."
In total 11 personnel were dismissed as a result of this investigation, Japan's Defense Ministry said. Two others were demoted while 83 were suspended, 14 given pay cuts, and seven issued with formal reprimands.
In addition, more than 20 naval and ministerial personnel were disciplined for eating and drinking in cafeterias at bases without paying when they had no right to enjoy free meals.
Admiral Ryo Sakai said he took responsibility for the failings within the navy and will step down as the chief of staff of the JMSDF on Friday. There is a lack of compliance and governance ability within the force, he admitted at a press conference after the announcement of disciplinary action.
In his farewell message, Sakai urged the naval force to "take a new posture" to resolve problems.
Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara apologized for the scandals but refused to resign, saying he will restore public trust in the military.
Japan's ground and air forces and the Joint Staff Office have also experienced similar cases of mishandling of classified information.
It is believed that the security breaches have not extended beyond the ministry and military, Kihara added.
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