Ex - Japan Sdf Member Receives Apologies From Her Colleagues For Sexual Harassment
A former member of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force says her colleagues have apologized to her in person for past sexual harassment.
Gonoi Rina spoke to reporters in Tokyo on Monday after receiving apologies from four men earlier in the day.
The 23-year-old had accused the four of sexually harassing her on multiple occasions in a unit she belonged to until June in Fukushima Prefecture.
Gonoi said the four presented letters of apology to her and bowed many times. They told her they were also sorry for inflicting suffering on other female members of the force for a long time. She added that the four then expressed their intention to retire to take responsibility.
Gonoi said she has long awaited the personal apologies and now feels the day has finally come. But she said it is too late. She said she wants them to pay for what they did in a responsible manner.
She expressed the hope that the Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces will consider ways to resolve such problems without making it necessary for those who speak up about their suffering to retire.
In September, the Defense Ministry offered an apology to Gonoi after looking into the matter and confirming the facts.
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 of sexual harassment.