Indiscipline in Japanese army
TOKYO: Two Japanese army generals were set to resign rather than face
unprecedented suspensions for their roles in an alleged cover-up of a
military criminal case.
A total of 24 officers were being punished in connection with the incident,
in which a colonel broke the law in 1994 by allowing his three civilian
friends to fire a military rifle at a practice range. Military sources have
said it was the first time top-level Japanese military officials had faced
such severe reprimands.
``I apologise deeply for the fact that this resulted in serious public
mistrust in the management of the Self-Defence Force (military),'' defence
minister Tsutomu Kawara said in a parliamentary committee Thursday. ``I will
make every effort to thoroughly enforce official discipline and prevent the
occurrence of scandals.''
Generals Yoshiharu Amano and Michihiko Suzuki expressed their intent to
resign after being notified of their punishments and the colonel -- who was
arrested by military police last month -- was set to follow suit rather than
face a disciplinary dismissal, a military official said.
Domestic media said senior ground self defence force officials had known of
the matter but kept it among themselves fearing it would degrade the army if
it was made public.
The military has been no stranger to public criticism. Last summer, the
naval branch of the self-defence forces found itself in hot water after
mistakenly firing live ammunition over a town and then failing to report the
incident for four months. In a routine equipment test, a destroyer fired
several rounds over a residential area, but no damage or injuries were
reported.
The self-defence force is one of many government agencies in trouble for
allegedly covering up violations by employees. Calls for law enforcement
reform are mounting following a string of scandals that have tarnished the
reputation of Japan's police force, once famed for its probity.(Reuters)
For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
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