Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka said Thursday she is considering taking legal action against bureaucrats in her ministry who she claims have leaked remarks she reportedly made about the U.S. missile defense program.

In an Upper House committee on diplomacy and defense, Tanaka said ministry officials intentionally distorted conversations she had with her foreign counterparts and then leaked them to the press.

"These are organizational, intentional leaks by the Foreign Ministry," Tanaka said. "I am consulting with attorneys about possible legal action. I am telling them how (the leaks) are hurting our national interests."