According to a report by the Japanese Tokyo Broadcasting Corporation (TBS) on June 25, a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces was killed last year when he was struck by a machine gun that fell from a high altitude during training. Due to dissatisfaction with the handling of the incident by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, the victim's family recently filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government, demanding compensation of 137 million yen (approximately 5.757 billion Chinese yuan).
According to reports, the accident occurred on March 13, 2025, at the Matsumoto station of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. At that time, about 30 members were conducting Ranger special combat training. A 5.56mm caliber machine gun carried by a member standing 15 meters above the ground fell and struck another member on the ground, killing him.
Public information shows that the deceased was born in January 1984 and belonged to the 13th General Unit of the 12th Brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces.
The family members of the deceased stated that they initially did not plan to sue the Japanese government. However, they believed that the punishments imposed by the Self-Defense Forces on the involved individuals were too lenient, so they decided to file a lawsuit.
June 24th, the plaintiff’s lawyer presented pictures of the falling machine gun. Japan Lawyer News Network
The case was heard in the Tokyo District Court on June 24 local time. The victim’s wife said in court: “The things that happened that day, I can’t forget them no matter how hard I try.” Regarding the handling of the incident by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, she criticized: “There were many flaws in their training procedures, and they didn’t seem to have any sense of responsibility at all. This is something we simply cannot accept.”
According to the Japan Lawyers News Network, after the incident, the team member who caused the machine gun to fall was suspended for one day. Two second-class land officers involved in developing training programs had their salaries cut by one month. The senior officer responsible for guiding the training received only a verbal warning. The plaintiff stated that they could accept leniency for the team members who directly caused the accident, but they were dissatisfied with the lenient punishment given to other individuals involved.
The lawsuit was filed by the deceased's wife, parents, and two children. They alleged that the Japanese Self-Defense Forces violated four obligations related to safety precautions. The plaintiffs also stated that more than a year has passed since the accident, yet they have still not received the compensation and education funds owed to the deceased's family.
The plaintiff requested the Japanese government to pay compensation of 137 million yen. In response, the Japanese government requested the court to dismiss the lawsuit during the trial. The next court hearing is scheduled to take place on September 15 local time.
