Photo/Illutration The Ground Self-Defense Force's Hino basic firing range in Gifu, where a shooting incident left two dead and one injured on June 14 (The Asahi Shimbun)

“Hohei no Honryo” (Specialty of the infantry), a collection of short stories by author Jiro Asada, contains a piece that depicts a Self-Defense Forces troop member candidate on the eve of enlistment.

Doubtful of his own aptitude, the thought of running away enters his mind. But his worries are soon allayed by the candid words of a senior official in charge of new recruit training: “The issue is not whether you’ll be good enough. It’s our job, as your instructors, to make all of you good enough.”

The training period runs for about three months, from spring to early summer. The protagonist finds comfort in the authority and confidence with which the instructor promises to turn him into a fully fledged SDF member within that period.

Asada, himself, joined the Ground SDF at age 19. This short story is based on his own experiences.

New recruits live together while they are taught the basics, which range from folding bed sheets to handling live weapons. 

This is the season when this year’s new SDF recruits are about to complete their training.

But what happened to one particular 18-year-old cadet, who on June 14 fired an automatic rifle at three of his instructors during target practice in Gifu, killing two and injuring one? The crime is just too shocking.

The SDF are no stranger to recruitment problems, having failed to meet their quota for more than a decade. According to the latest study, personnel candidate applications number around 28,000 annually.

This past spring, that 18-year-old candidate must have been one of those rookies who were embarking on their new career with eagerness mixed with strain.

At the camp of the unit to which he belonged, an enlistment ceremony was held in April for new recruits, whose representative must have recited aloud the SDF’s “oath of service” that goes to the effect, “We pledge to cultivate moral character at all times, respect individuality. ... and strive to acquire the knowledge and techniques needed.”

All recruits are required to sign this oath.

But the crime was committed less than three months later. If the perpetrator was once truly committed to living up to this oath, where did that resolve go?

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 15

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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