Japan’s former navy chief sacked, under probe over alleged state secret leak
- An investigation panel apparently judged Hiroshi Yamamura responsible for supervising a captain who is suspected of the leak that occurred a few years ago
- This is the first time such a breach has come to light since a secrecy law was enacted in 2014
Japan’s Defence Ministry on Monday dismissed a Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF) captain over the alleged leak of state secrets to an outsider, making it the first case of crackdown since the secrecy law came into effect in 2014.
A Self-Defence Force criminal investigation unit referred the captain, Takashi Inoue, 54, to prosecutors for allegedly giving classified information to a former MSDF admiral who had already retired from the force, according to the ministry.
In March 2020, Inoue disclosed secret information regarding “situations surrounding Japan” as well as the SDF’s operation and trainings, and had “a strong sense of awe” toward the former admiral who was once one of his close superiors, according to the ministry.
Three of Inoue’s superiors at that time, including former MSDF Chief of Staff Hiroshi Yamamura, were also disciplined for inadequate supervision, the ministry added.
Admiral Ryo Sakai, chief of staff of the MSDF, apologised at a press conference, saying the incident could “undermine the public’s and other nations’ confidence in the MSDF”.
The ministry said the former admiral requested an MSDF unit in charge of collecting and analysing information to brief him about the latest state of affairs, but had not demanded that the classified information be disclosed.