337 Police Members Disciplined in Japan in 2025

Tokyo, Feb. 5 (Jiji Press)–A total of 337 police officers and personnel were disciplined across Japan in 2025, according to a National Police Agency tally released Thursday. The figure grew by 98 from the previous year for its first rise in three years, notching a decade high. The number of police members who were arrested rose by seven to 64. The agency has issued a notice to police nationwide, urging them to enhance guidance and supervision regarding their duties. “Police activities are based on the trust of the people, so there are concerns about lax discipline. I want (the police) to make sure they take steps to restore trust,” National Public Safety Commission Chairman Jiro Akama told a regular press conference. According to the NPA, it was the first time since 2014 that the tally of police members given disciplinary action topped 300. Of the total, 44 were dismissed, up 14, 97 were suspended, up 21, 144 had their pay reduced, up 40, and 52 were reprimanded, up 23. Violations while on duty led to punishments of 102 people. The most common reason for disciplinary action was acts related to relationships with the opposite sex, such as nonconsensual photography and adultery, involving 104 members, followed by theft, fraud and embezzlement at 63 members and neglect of duty, such as dereliction and inappropriate handling of duties, at 44 members. Twenty-two members were punished for illegal gambling in online casinos. Many members were punished for using smartphones for games and other reasons while on duty. Eight were penalized for power harassment, or workplace bullying usually by people with greater power, and nine for sexual harassment, both up by five. The Hyogo prefectural police in western Japan had the largest number of officers and personnel slapped with disciplinary action at 50. Punishments included those for drinking alcohol and playing “pachinko” pinball during work hours. The Kanagawa prefectural police, where five members were punished for their inappropriate handling of a stalking case that led to the murder of a woman in Kawasaki in the prefecture, followed with 34. Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department punished 30 members, including an officer found to have leaked investigative information to a sex worker scouting group. An NPA official said the agency takes the disciplinary action cases seriously and that it will work to regain trust by thoroughly supervising duties while steadily implementing recurrence prevention measures reviewed following major scandals last year. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]