Defence Ministry Sanctions 93 Personnel Fictitious Transactions with Shipbuilders 防衛省 造船所と架空取引で93人処分

Implications for the ‘Golden Era’ of US-Japan Shipbuilding Cooperation Also in Focus

防衛省、日本造船所との架空取引で93人処分　、「日米造船黄金時代」注視

Japan’s Ministry of Defence released its final report at 4:30pm on July 30 concerning a scheme involving fictitious transactions with domestic shipbuilding companies responsible for the repair of vessels operated by the Maritime Self-Defence Force. The transactions were used to create （Please read the full article for further details.）

Key Points of the Article

→ In response to the Defence Ministry’s final report, Kawasaki Heavy Industries stated it “takes the findings and the stern warning seriously and is committed to restoring trust,” and announced disciplinary action against 43 employees, including the manager of its Kobe Shipyard. Japan Marine United (JMU) also said it “takes the disciplinary action seriously and will undertake company-wide efforts to prevent recurrence.” Mitsubishi Heavy Industries stated it would proceed with implementing preventive measures.

→ The scandal involving fictitious transactions between the Defence Ministry and Japanese shipbuilders has raised concerns over how it may affect future naval shipbuilding at domestic yards and government–industry initiatives to strengthen shipyard infrastructure. Maritime stakeholders in Japan are watching the situation closely.

Photo courtesy by iStock, Defence Ministry

防衛省、日本造船所との架空取引で93人処分　、「日米造船黄金時代」への影響注視

　日本の防衛省は7月30日午後４時30分、海上自衛隊の艦船修理を担う日本の造船会社との架空取引で裏金をつくった問題について最終報告書を発表した。報告書は、　（続きは本文をお読みください）

この記事のポイント

→今回の防衛省の最終報告書の発表を受け、川崎重工は「調査結果と厳重注意を重く受け止め、信頼回復に努める」と説明、神戸造船工場長ら43人を処分したと発表した。JMUも「処分を重く受け止めるとともに再発防止に社をあげて取り組んで参ります」とし、三菱重工は再発防止策を進めていくと説明した。

→今回の防衛省と日本の造船所の架空取引問題は、今後の日本造船所の艦艇建造、官民での日本造船所の設備強化策にどのような影響を与えるのか、日本の海事関係者が注視している段階だ。