The Defense Ministry will from March stiffen the punishments for bullying, power harassment and similar infractions by Japan Self-Defense Force members, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
Among the main tenets will be that, in principle, particularly malicious cases will lead to dismissal.
Currently, the penalties for power harassment by an SDF member range from outright dismissal or a demotion in rank to a suspension of six days or more or a fine of at least one-third of a month's wages.
In cases of bullying that results in injury, the punishment has ranged from dismissal to a 16-day suspension. However, in situations with malicious intent, lighter punishment has been meted out for "extenuating circumstances" and other reasons.
Under the revision, when power harassment or bullying is deemed to be "extremely severe," dismissal will become the standard. When suspension is deemed warranted for these offenses, the minimum will be raised to six months.
The ministry elucidated cases in which the revised penalties will apply. If the victim of power harassment commits or attempts suicide, or suffers a serious injury requiring over one month's treatment, the case will be regarded as "extremely severe."
In the event of an assault such as a slap to the face, the first offense will be regarded as "minor," while repeated instances will be taken as "relatively severe."
Meanwhile, to preserve discipline within the troops, the ministry is also looking at toughening the punishment standards for insubordination.
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