Copies of GSDF textbooks put up for online auction

January 22, 2018

Tokyo- More than 50 copies of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force textbooks have been sold in online auctions, GSDF sources said Monday.

The copies were put up by a single seller account, they said.

The GSDF has been investigating the case amid concern that an insider might have been involved.

The textbooks being sold online are "kyohan," or textbooks for military training, and reference materials. Some of them show ways to handle machine guns and communication methods for tank units.

Kyohan books are not classified as national security secret, but the Defense Ministry prohibits their use for purposes other than education and training.

Under GSDF rules, textbooks can only be obtained by its members who receive permission from their supervisors, and the purchased textbooks must be kept at units. Some units keep control of textbooks and lend them out to members only when necessary.

Claiming to be a civilian with no experience in the SDF at all, the seller describes the textbooks as coming from their original owner, or owners.

Previously, a former GSDF lieutenant general was referred to public prosecutors in December 2015 on suspicion of giving the force's textbooks to a Russian military officer in violation of the SDF law, although the former GSDF personnel escaped indictment.

After the incident, the GSDF has tightened the management of textbooks by making members be accompanied by supervisors when they buy them and making sure that those who buy them submit written pledges. Jiji Press