Tokyo (nytoday) — A female military officer in Japan, Rena Gonoi, has reached a civil settlement with the Japanese government following allegations that she was sexually assaulted by fellow officers during a training exercise.
According to international media reports, Rena Gonoi stated that she was assaulted by three male colleagues in 2021 while serving in Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force. She alleged that despite filing an official complaint, senior authorities failed to take effective action at the time.
In 2022, Gonoi publicly shared her allegations through a video posted on YouTube, which quickly went viral. The video sparked nationwide debate and public outrage, leading to widespread support for her cause. More than 100,000 people signed an online petition demanding justice and accountability within the military.
Under growing public pressure, legal action was initiated against the accused personnel. In 2023, three soldiers were convicted of sexual assault. However, the court handed down two-year prison sentences that were suspended for four years, meaning the convicted individuals did not serve time in prison. Dissatisfied with the outcome, Gonoi filed a separate civil lawsuit, naming both the accused soldiers and the Japanese government as parties.
The Japanese government later acknowledged its responsibility in the matter and proposed an out-of-court settlement. Gonoi accepted the offer, citing concerns about prolonged litigation and the broader impact on the country’s military reputation. Under the agreement, the government will pay her 1.6 million yen (approximately USD 10,400) in damages.
As part of the settlement, the accused soldiers will neither issue a formal apology nor pay compensation directly. The payment will be made solely by the Japanese government, bringing the civil case to a close.
Rena Gonoi described the settlement as a significant milestone, saying it represents an important step toward recognition of victims’ rights and accountability within Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.