A woman, who was sexually assaulted while she was serving in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, has sued the state and her offenders alleging the GSDF failed to investigate her complaints when she came forward.

The 23-year-old Gonoi Rina was stationed at a GSDF camp in Fukushima Prefecture until last June. She accused five members of the unit of sexually harassing her on multiple occasions.

The Defense Ministry announced last month that it had confirmed the misconduct and discharged the five male soldiers.

Gonoi told reporters at the Japan National Press Club on Monday that she filed the civil lawsuits against the state and the five offenders with the Yokohama District Court near Tokyo.

She said she is seeking a total of 7.5 million yen, or over 57 thousand dollars for mental suffering as the GSDF failed to fully investigate her complaints or take sufficient measures after she came forward.

Gonoi said if the appropriate actions had been taken, she wouldn't have had to leave the GSDF.

The Defense Ministry said in its statement that it will address the matter appropriately after receiving her complaints.

Gonoi's accusations prompted the ministry to carry out an internal probe into the SDF last year. Officials say they received more than 1,400 harassment complaints.