Journalist Describes Secret Japanese Military Unit Called "Betsuhan"
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A secretive unit inside Japan's Self-Defense Forces called "Betsuhan" has become a topic of public interest. The Self-Defense Forces are Japan's military organization.
A journalist who interviewed a former member of the unit has described what the man said about his work. The journalist did not reveal the man's full identity for safety reasons.
According to the former member, workers in the unit were not required to submit receipts for expenses, even when spending reached several million yen. A receipt is a document that proves a payment was made.
The man also said that training included skills such as planting explosives and preparing to assassinate important figures. To assassinate someone means to kill them, usually for political reasons.
He explained that if a member were ever captured by police or an enemy, the organization would not step in to help. Instead, the person would vanish, in his words, "from darkness into darkness," meaning there would be no trace or explanation.
Reports say that the unit's activities are reportedly unknown even to Japan's most senior officials, including the prime minister and the defense minister. This raises questions about civilian oversight, which means official checking and control, of military operations.
Public attention to this topic has grown partly because of the TV drama VIVANT, which features a similar secret unit and has made viewers curious about whether such groups exist in real life.
Some commentary has raised concerns about the risks of an intelligence unit operating outside normal government accountability, meaning being answerable for one's actions, warning that this could lead to serious problems if left unchecked.
Vocabulary10 words
- Self-Defense Forces
- Japan's official military organization
- identity
- who a person really is
- receipt
- paper proof that money was paid
- explosive
- something that can blow up, like a bomb
- assassinate
- to kill an important person on purpose
- captured
- caught and held by force
- prime minister
- the top leader of a government
- defense minister
- the government leader in charge of the military
- oversight
- official watching and control of something
- accountability
- having to explain and answer for your actions
Quiz
Answer key
1. Receipts were not required, even for large amounts 2. Placing explosives and preparing assassinations 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A secretive unit inside Japan's _____ called "Betsuhan" has become a topic of public interest.
A journalist who interviewed a former member of the unit has described what the man said about his _____.
According to the former member, workers in the unit were not required to submit _____ for expenses, even when spending reached several million yen.
The man also said that training included skills such as planting _____ and preparing to assassinate important figures.
He explained that if a member were ever _____ by police or an enemy, the organization would not step in to help.
Instead, the person would vanish, in his words, "from darkness into darkness."
Reports say that the unit's activities are reportedly unknown even to Japan's most senior officials, including the _____ and the defense minister.
This raises questions about civilian _____ of military operations.
Public attention to this topic has grown partly because of the TV drama _____.
Some commentary has raised concerns about the risks of an intelligence unit operating outside normal government _____.
Discussion questions
- Why might a government want to keep a military unit secret even from its own top leaders?
- What risks could exist if a unit operates without financial or legal oversight?
- Do you think fictional shows like VIVANT can influence public interest in real events? Why or why not?
- How might journalists balance reporting on secret operations with protecting national security?