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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Justin McCurry in Tokyo

Japan’s armed forces covered up sexual and other harassment, report shows

A report on Japan’s self-defence forces (SDF) says sexual and other forms of harassment are widespread and unpunished.
A report on Japan’s self-defence forces (SDF) says sexual and other forms of harassment are widespread and unpunished. Photograph: Toru Hanai/Reuters

Japan’s military has covered up cases of sexual and other forms of harassment among members of the self-defence forces (SDF) and refused to take allegations seriously, according to a report that sheds light on widespread abuse in the armed forces.

A panel of experts formed in response to a high-profile case in 2022 said it was aware of 1,325 cases of harassment targeting women and men, adding that more than 60% of victims had not reported them.

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