JASDF-Flieger wegen mutmaßlicher Weitergabe vertraulicher Raketeninformationen an Staatsanwaltschaft geschickt

The Gifu Local Police of Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) filed a report on the 29th, sending a teenage airman from the Flight Development and Test Division at Gifu Base (located in Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture) to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Self-Defense Forces Act over a leak of unpublished information. This information, believed to be images of missile models under development by the ASDF, was leaked via social media platforms (SNS).

The leak was first revealed in July through a report by the Sankei Shimbun. During a press conference on July 11, ASDF Chief of Staff Hiroaki Uchikura expressed regret, stating, “It is extremely unfortunate that unpublished information was inappropriately shared, and we are conducting a thorough investigation.”

The teenage airman is accused of posting sensitive information obtained during official duties onto a public SNS server between December of last year and June of this year, making it accessible to an unspecified number of people. According to Sankei Shimbun’s investigation, images and posts regarding ASDF equipment and missile specifications were found in a military-themed group on the Discord app, which had several dozen participants. These posts were attributed to someone who claimed to work at Gifu Base.

The images posted are believed to be of missile models, and the individual suggested they were related to the “Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Guided Missile Enhanced variant.” This missile is part of Japan’s domestic long-range missile development plan, aimed at improving strike capabilities against enemy territories. The missile in question is being modified for launch from fighter aircraft, and the leaked model appears to be related to this improvement. According to sources, all of the posts and images were deleted by the end of June.