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ANKARA (AA) – Japan on Wednesday punished 93 officials, including the chief of its Maritime Self-Defense Force, over a scandal involving improper vessel repair contracts and slush fund benefits, Kyodo News reported.

The disciplinary actions followed the Defense Ministry’s final report into misconduct linked to Kawasaki Heavy Industries and three other companies.

Admiral Akira Saito, chief of staff of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF), received a 10% pay cut for one month for failing to properly supervise subordinates — an oversight the ministry said damaged public trust in the Self-Defense Forces (SDF).

The scandal came to light last July, prompting a special investigation.

According to an earlier interim report, Kawasaki Heavy Industries created slush funds through fictitious transactions over more than four decades. It reportedly amassed 1.7 billion yen ($11 million) in six years through March 2024.

The funds were used to buy home appliances and gaming consoles for MSDF personnel upon request, the report said.

Seventy-five officers were formally admonished, while 17 others were issued warnings.

Officials who received personal items were not among those punished. The ministry said they would instead face disciplinary action under the SDF personnel ethics law.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan Marine United, and Sasebo Heavy Industries were also cited for improper dealings with the MSDF, such as supplying undocumented equipment. However, they were not found to have provided personal items.

Writing by Islamuddin Sajid