Defence JSDF missing recruitment goal by half

In reality, however, the SDF is suffering a recruitment shortage of around 20,000 below its intended troop strength of around 247,000. Possible factors for the recruiting shortfall include a widely publicized sexual assault incident, other various scandals and a deadly shooting spree involving the SDF. In 2022, former SDF member Rina Gonoi sued three male superiors alleging that they had sexually assaulted her. In June 2023, a Ground SDF cadet is accused of shooting three members of the GSDF during a live-fire training exercise, killing two of them and injuring one. After Gonoi's accusation, the Defense Ministry conducted a special defense inspection of sexual harassment covering all SDF members. Subsequently, the ministry carried out improvements including raising pay for hazardous duties such as for the crews of destroyers and submarines, and strengthening harassment prevention education. Former Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada called on people to "enter the SDF with high aspirations," but SDF recruiters described the reality saying, "recruitment was extremely terrible."

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