Members of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force have been suspected of fraudulently receiving allowances for diving training and duty, a Defense Ministry source said Tuesday, in a move that could deal another blow to the scandal-hit MSDF.
The sum of the alleged improper benefits paid to the MSDF members, who had not actually engaged in diving work, is expected to total tens of millions of yen, with the force set to discipline dozens of the personnel concerned, according to the source.
A government ordinance stipulates more than 10,000 yen ($62) per hour is paid to each member who does diving while on duty or for training, depending on the depth. The suspected misconduct, believed to have become a normal practice among the MSDF crew, may have spanned years, the source said.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said at a press conference that his ministry is investigating the case and will take strict action based on the facts that come to light, adding that the MSDF "must not" do anything that could raise doubt among the public.
The latest revelation comes as Adm. Ryo Sakai, chief of staff of the MSDF, is reportedly considering resigning to take responsibility for the mishandling of classified information by personnel on several destroyers and other cases of misbehavior by members of the force.
On Friday, meanwhile, Kihara instructed the launch of a special investigation into the alleged use of slush funds by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. to provide money and goods to MSDF submarine crew members under the guise of transactions with subcontractors.
The special investigation is carried out independently by the Inspector General's Office of Legal Compliance, headed by a former prosecutor.
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