Japan’s army issues rare apology over sexual harassment case

In a rare admission of sexual harassment in Japan’s military, its army chief apologized Thursday to a former soldier for suffering caused by a group of servicemembers.

Yoshihide Yoshida, head of Japan’s Ground Self-Defence Force, said an internal investigation found evidence that several servicemen were involved in the case brought by former soldier Rina Gonoi last month, AP reports.

“Representing the Ground-Self Defense Force, I deeply apologize to Ms. Gonoi for the pain she had to suffer for a long time,” Yoshida told a news conference. “We offer a sincere apology.”

The investigation is continuing and further details, including the assailants and their punishment, have not been released.

Gonoi welcomed the apology and thanked those who supported her, but added that “my battle is not over.”

“I’m determined to get an apology directly from the perpetrators,” she tweeted.

Japan’s Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada earlier this month ordered a ministry-wide investigation into growing reports of sexual assault after Gonoi brought allegations of harassment against her and others.

The ministry said the number of various types of harassment complaints rose from 256 in 2016 to 2,311 last year.