Wasabi, a strong Japanese horseradish, is best known as a condiment served with sashimi and sushi. (Wikimedia Commons)

TOKYO — A serving of wasabi can be its own punishment, but rarely for two.

A Japanese officer has been suspended for a month for forcing a subordinate soldier, who was caught dozing, to eat the strong Japanese horseradish, according to a Japan Ground Self-Defense force spokesman.

The suspension came Tuesday, three years after the unnamed first lieutenant in his 30s forced wasabi, a member of the mustard family, into the soldier’s mouth on Nov. 1, 2021, at Camp Omura in Nagasaki prefecture, the spokesman said by phone Thursday.

The officer, assigned to the 16th Infantry Regiment at Omura, said he was trying to wake the soldier up during training, the spokesman said.

Wasabi is best in small amounts and for many is known as a condiment served with sashimi and sushi.

The subordinate, who suffered acute gastritis as a result, reported the incident that day, said the spokesman, who declined to provide further details about the solider.

The suspension came three years later due to the investigation, the spokesman added.

“We take this matter very seriously and intend to implement thorough educational guidance,” 16th Infantry Regiment commander Col. Takanori Doi said in a statement provided by the spokesman.