A total of 486 police officers were dismissed, suspended from duty or reprimanded last year, down 39 from a record high in 2000, the National Police Agency said Thursday.
According to the NPA, the prefectural police headquarters in Akita, Fukui and Tokushima prefectures were the only ones not to punish officers.
Of those punished, 38 were dismissed, down 19, and 79 were suspended from duty, up four. Some 173 faced pay cuts and 196 were reprimanded, each down 12. Forty-one were punished for failing to properly manage their subordinates. Only one so-called career-track officer was reprimanded.
Scandals involving drinking problems and inappropriate romantic relations topped the list of reasons for disciplinary action, resulting in the punishment of 125 officers.
Some 81 police were disciplined over traffic accidents or violations and 80 were involved in inappropriate practices. Fifty-two were punished for discipline violations.
About 30 percent were punished over scandals that occurred before 2000.
The NPA said the numbers are still high due to tougher inspections and reform programs.
By prefecture, Chiba led the pack with 49 punished officers, followed by Kanagawa with 43 and Tokyo with 38.