The Defense Agency will regularly conduct urine tests of Self-Defense Forces personnel in the light of a series of illegal drug use cases involving Maritime Self-Defense Force members, agency officials said Wednesday.
While the SDF members have been obliged since 2002 to go through drug screening when they join, they have not been required to do so after assuming their posts.
The agency intends to introduce the new examination system from the next fiscal year, during which it will randomly select targets for testing and conduct the tests with their consent, the officials said.
Details, including how to treat those who refuse to be tested, will be decided later, they added.
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