Ground Self-Defense Force Member Alleges Power Harassment and Forced Dangerous Dance Practice

It has become clear that there is an increasing number of personnel wishing to retire from the 1st Airborne Brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, a unit known for its high-intensity training and elite missions. The reason for this increase is the forced practice of dance outside of working hours in preparation for the annual “Unit Dance Competition” held during the summer festival.

 

Elite members of Japan’s only airborne unit, feeling angered by their working conditions, have sent a complaint to the author through contacts. The content of the complaint is as follows:

 

“Younger soldiers at the Narashino Garrison have been forced to practice dance for the summer festival on weekends and outside of work hours, despite it being their supposed days off. These excellent soldiers, who joined the defense forces with a sense of purpose, are unable to tolerate being coerced into dance practice, which they approach with anything but enthusiasm. This has led to a sharp increase in retirement requests.

 

The imposition of dance practice outside of working hours began because the battalion commander, who oversees the 1st Airborne Brigade, declared, ‘We performed poorly in last year’s summer festival dance competition, so this summer we must win!’ This trivial reason triggered the additional practice. Winning this dance competition does not affect promotions; it’s merely a topic for post-festival drinking parties among battalion commanders, used as a conversation piece. It is an outdated practice, but unfortunately, the supervisors’ sensibilities are numb, and we can no longer expect self-regulation within the unit.” 

 

A current member stationed at the Narashino Garrison expressed their frustration with the situation:

 

“Self-Defense Force personnel are forced to live in a communal environment. Already restricted in our freedoms, now even our precious personal time is taken away by work. I want to use my valuable life time for myself. It’s hard to have that precious time taken away like a slave.”

 

The summer festival dance competition held on August 3 this year featured around 10 teams, each consisting of about 20 members. Teams showcased a variety of dance styles, from hip-hop to bon odori, and were judged by their respective unit leaders. While the Narashino Garrison’s summer festival is open to the public and many personnel voluntarily enjoy the event, some members were coerced into extra practice for the dance competition. What was this practice like?

 

“External instructors were brought in, and practices were scheduled for one to two hours after duty hours and even on Sundays, which are supposed to be days off. Although it was supposedly voluntary participation, there was no guarantee of compensatory leave. Despite protesting that ‘if it’s voluntary, those who don’t want to participate shouldn’t have to,’ our objections were not accepted. In reality, participation was effectively mandatory.” (Narashino Garrison member)