Society

Operator of sightseeing boat that sank off Hokkaido in 2022 arrested

HOKKAIDO, Sep 19 (NHK) - A regional headquarters of the Japan Coast Guard has arrested the head of the operating company of a sightseeing boat that sank off the coast of Hokkaido, northern Japan, in 2022.

The sightseeing boat, "KAZU I," sank off the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido in April 2022, killing 20 people and leaving six others missing.

Katsurada Seiichi, the company's president, was arrested by the 1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters on Wednesday on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death and another charge.

The regional coast guard bureau said Katsurada failed in his responsibility to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew of the boat.

A report on the cause of the accident released last year by Japan's Transport Safety Board said that the company did not have a proper system in place to ensure safe and sound operation.

The report said an unlocked hatch cover on the boat's forward deck is likely to have opened in bad weather, allowing seawater to flow in. It said other factors contributed to the flooding and sinking of the vessel.

The coast guard bureau interviewed Katsurada on a voluntary basis as part of its investigations.

A Journey Through Nagahama: Tracing the Legacy of Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Nagahama, a city steeped in history and culture, is home to numerous sites connected to the legacy of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. From Nagahama Castle, where visitors can view Hideyoshi’s handwritten documents and the scenery he once gazed upon, to Kunitomo, a major center of firearm production that supported Japan’s unification, the area offers a rich tapestry of historical insights.

Yellow Dust Headed for Japan: Impact on Allergies and Air Quality

A yellow dust storm originating in China has led to the first warning of the year, with forecasts predicting its arrival in Japan, particularly in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region.

Final Chapter for 'Bōsōzoku'?

For over half a century, Nagasaki Prefecture has waged a relentless battle against biker gangs, groups known for their reckless, illegal street racing that disturbed public order and endangered lives. Now, after years of intensified crackdowns, Nagasaki police have announced the virtual eradication of biker gangs, culminating in the recent disbandment of the last remaining group in January 2025.

Osaka Installs 2-Meter Fence Under Glico Sign

Construction has begun on a fence under the Glico sign in Osaka's Minami district, known as 'Gurishita,' to prevent loitering and address crime-related issues.

Japan’s 'Most Dangerous' Zoo to Close in September Over Legal Issues

North Safari Sapporo, which brands itself as 'Japan's most dangerous zoo,' has announced it will close at the end of September, after operating for two decades despite being in an urban planning control zone where development is restricted.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Strange Circular Marks at Shrine Cause Alarm Among Visitors

Mysterious circular patterns resembling crop circles have appeared at a shrine in Tosu City, Saga Prefecture, where traditional rituals for health and well-being are performed. A notice posted at the shrine reads: “Visitors are finding this unsettling. Please stop making these markings.”