TOKYO: Designated secrets about national security have been managed improperly in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Defense Ministry sources said Saturday.

MSDF Chief of Staff Adm. SAKAI Ryo, who assumed the position in March 2022, intends to resign over the matter, they said.

According to the sources, the captain of the MSDF destroyer Inazuma appointed an unqualified crew member as an official to handle designated secrets in 2022.

In April this year, the ministry took disciplinary action against the captain and others for mishandling designated secrets, and began investigating whether there were similar cases.

As a result, the ministry has confirmed similar cases on several other vessels where senior officers allowed unqualified members to access designated secrets. It plans to shortly release the results of the investigation and punish those involved.

It is believed that illegal practices, such as assigning unqualified members to the combat command posts of vessels and allowing them to view ship tracking information and other designated secrets on monitors, have continued for a long time.

Designated secrets, which are determined by ministers and others, include defense, diplomatic and other information that, if leaked, could significantly affect national security.

Those who handle the secrets must pass aptitude tests that assess their friendships, drinking habits, criminal records and other matters.

JIJI Press