A former member of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force has spoken to reporters after five of her GSDF superiors were dismissed for having sexually harassed her.

Gonoi Rina was a member of a GSDF unit in Fukushima Prefecture until June. She filed a complaint using her own name against several members of the unit who she said sexually harassed her. The Defense Ministry discharged five of her superiors last Thursday.

At a news conference in Tokyo on Monday, Gonoi said the five deserve the punishment because, for the members of her unit, sexual harassment was a regular topic of conversation. She added that they must have lost their sense of moral judgement.

She said disciplinary measures were not comprehensive enough, as some male unit members who sat by and did nothing while witnessing her being harassed escaped punishment.

She said that if she had not come out publicly so that the public could learn her name and see her face, the GSDF would have swept the issue under the carpet before it seriously punished the five.

She said they would have then committed the same unethical acts against other female unit members without a sense of guilt. She pleaded that sexual harassment be eradicated through stiffer punishments.

She also commented on the Defense Ministry's efforts to protect unit members from harassment.

Gonoi said she has been asked for advice by people who are too afraid to speak up because of pressure by their bosses.

She suggested that the ministry should make it easier for harassment victims to speak up, and take concrete measures so that they can more easily file complaints and not be compelled to leave the organization.

She also spoke about the sport of judo, which she has been practicing for many years. She said she wants to contribute to society through judo.

She said she wants to live her life as Gonoi Rina, not as a victim of harassment.