Japan's Defense Ministry has apologized to a former member of the Ground Self-Defense Force over sexual harassment she underwent while on duty.

Senior ministry officials said their investigation confirmed multiple instances of harassment, and offered an apology to Gonoi Rina on Thursday.

The 23-year-old had accused other personnel of sexually harassing her in a unit she belonged to in Fukushima Prefecture until June.

The ministry interviewed about 100 members in response to her request for a probe and punishment of those involved.

The investigation showed that sexual remarks or contact were made openly in the unit almost daily.
Multiple female members were reportedly subject to sexual harassment.

The probe found that unit members harassed Gonoi by touching her body or pushing her down. Such abuse took place between autumn 2020 and August 2021. It also found that a commander who heard Gonoi's complaint did not report it to a superior officer.

The head of the ministry's Personnel and Education Bureau, Machida Kazuhito, met Gonoi in Tokyo and offered a "deep apology" for her long-time suffering.

Gonoi responded that the ministry's action came too late.
She said she wants a direct apology from those who harassed her, and urged the ministry to take drastic measures to prevent a recurrence.

GSDF Chief of Staff Yoshida Yoshihide also apologized in a regular news conference on Thursday.
Yoshida pledged efforts to eliminate harassment, which he said should never be tolerated.

The ministry says it will punish those involved after looking into the matter further.

It is also carrying out a special investigation of the entire organization to learn more about the situation.