218 SDF members, defense bureaucrats disciplined over scandals

TOKYO, Japan, July 12 Kyodo - Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on July 12, 2024, after the ministry disciplined 218 Self-Defense Forces members and senior bureaucrats in connection with a spate of issues including the mishandling of classified information. (Kyodo)

218 SDF members, defense bureaucrats disciplined over scandals

218 SDF members, defense bureaucrats disciplined over scandals

Adm. Ryo Sakai, chief of staff of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, apologizes during a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on July 12, 2024, after 218 Self-Defense Forces members and senior bureaucrats were disciplined by the ministry in connection with a spate of issues including the mishandling of classified information.

218 SDF members, defense bureaucrats disciplined over scandals

218 SDF members, defense bureaucrats disciplined over scandals

Adm. Ryo Sakai, chief of staff of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, holds a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on July 12, 2024, after the ministry disciplined 218 Self-Defense Forces members and senior bureaucrats in connection with a spate of issues including the mishandling of classified information.

218 SDF members, defense bureaucrats disciplined over scandals

218 SDF members, defense bureaucrats disciplined over scandals

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara apologizes during a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on July 12, 2024, after it disciplined 218 Self-Defense Force members and senior bureaucrats in connection with a spate of issues including the mishandling of classified information.

218 SDF members, defense bureaucrats disciplined over scandals

218 SDF members, defense bureaucrats disciplined over scandals

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on July 12, 2024, after the ministry disciplined 218 Self-Defense Forces members and senior bureaucrats in connection with a spate of issues including the mishandling of classified information.

LDP chief Tanigaki at lower house session

LDP chief Tanigaki at lower house session

TOKYO, Japan - Sadakazu Tanigaki, president of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, questions Prime Minister Naoto Kan over the issues of maritime collisions near the disputed Senkaku Islands and Ichiro Ozawa's imminent indictment in connection with a political funds scandal at a House of Representatives session in Tokyo on Oct. 6, 2010. Tanigaki called for Ozawa to testify at the Diet.

Ex-N. Korean agent's May visit to Japan 'difficult'

Ex-N. Korean agent's May visit to Japan 'difficult'

SEOUL, South Korea - Hiroshi Nakai, Japan's minister in charge of issues of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea, speaks to reporters in Seoul on April 27, 2010. Nakai said it is difficult for former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui now in South Korea to visit Japan in May in connection with the abductions.

Smallpox vaccine to be distributed nationwide

Smallpox vaccine to be distributed nationwide

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's health minister, Chikara Sakaguchi, (standing) addresses the first meeting of the ministry's headquarters for issues related to Iraq in Tokyo on March 31. The ministry decided to distribute the smallpox vaccine nationwide as a precaution against possible use of the smallpox virus in terrorism in connection with the U.S.-led war on Iraq.

Smallpox vaccine to be distributed nationwide

Smallpox vaccine to be distributed nationwide

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's health minister, Chikara Sakaguchi, (standing) addresses the first meeting of the ministry's headquarters for issues related to Iraq in Tokyo on March 31. The ministry decided to distribute the smallpox vaccine nationwide as a precaution against possible use of the smallpox virus in terrorism in connection with the U.S.-led war on Iraq. (Kyodo)

U.S. military issues new restrictions on forces in Okinawa

U.S. military issues new restrictions on forces in Okinawa

Koza Gate Street, a shopping street in central Okinawa leading to the nearby U.S. Kadena Air Base, is largely empty at night on May 27, 2016. The base the same day issued new measures to tighten discipline among U.S. forces, imposing a midnight curfew and off-base alcohol ban for a monthlong "period of unity and mourning," following the arrest of an American civilian worker in connection with the killing of a local woman. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ex-N. Korean agent's May visit to Japan 'difficult'

Ex-N. Korean agent's May visit to Japan 'difficult'

SEOUL, South Korea - Hiroshi Nakai, Japan's minister in charge of issues of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea, speaks to reporters in Seoul on April 27, 2010. Nakai said it is difficult for former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui now in South Korea to visit Japan in May in connection with the abductions. (Kyodo)

LDP chief Tanigaki at lower house session

LDP chief Tanigaki at lower house session

TOKYO, Japan - Sadakazu Tanigaki, president of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, questions Prime Minister Naoto Kan over the issues of maritime collisions near the disputed Senkaku Islands and Ichiro Ozawa's imminent indictment in connection with a political funds scandal at a House of Representatives session in Tokyo on Oct. 6, 2010. Tanigaki called for Ozawa to testify at the Diet. (Kyodo)