Japan's Defense Ministry has demoted two senior officers of the Maritime Self-Defense Force over cases of power harassment. These are the first such disciplinary actions at the MSDF on record.

The ministry says a captain in his 50s, currently serving at the MSDF's Command and Staff College, harassed more than 10 subordinates between September 2019 and February 2021.

It says his acts of harassment included imposing excessively long working hours and calling some subordinates "fool" or "incompetent."

The ministry says there was a tip-off on the cases. It demoted the captain by two ranks to lieutenant commander.

The ministry also says a rear admiral in his 50s, who was overseeing the captain at the time, failed to conduct an adequate inquiry despite the tip-off. He concluded in his report that no cases of harassment had taken place.

The ministry demoted the rear admiral by one rank to captain for failing to perform his duty. It says he retired on Tuesday.

The ministry says these are the first demotions at the MSDF and the fifth at the ministry and the Self-Defense Forces overall since relevant records became available in 1989. Under SDF law, demotion is the second most severe disciplinary action following dismissal.

MSDF Chief of Staff Admiral Sakai Ryo said the harassment was "absolutely unforgivable." He pledged to prevent a recurrence, saying the MSDF will strengthen its governance as an organization.