Boat company president apologizes on hands and knees
16:53 JST, April 27, 2022
The president of Shiretoko Pleasure Boat apologized on his hands and knees Wednesday for the deadly accident in which a company boat carrying 26 people went missing off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido.
President Seiichi Katsurada bowed low, with his hands and knees on the floor for about 10 seconds at a press conference in Shari, Hokkaido. It was the first press conference to be held by the company since the accident occurred on Saturday.
“I profoundly apologize to the victims who lost their lives and to those who are still missing,” Katsurada said. “We have caused great grief for the families of the deceased and the missing. We are deeply sorry.”
Katsurada expressed his hope that the missing would be found as soon as possible, and pledged to do his utmost to determine the cause of the incident.
Eleven of the 26 passengers and crew have been found and confirmed dead. The Japan Coast Guard and other parties are searching for the boat and the remaining 15 people.
On the decision to operate the boat Saturday, Katsurada said, “There was a possibility that the weather would be worse in the afternoon, but the captain said sailing was possible. It was not windy then, and we decided to operate on condition that he would return if the weather got worse.”
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan Court OKs Sex Change without Surgery
-
3 Climbers Die On Mt. Fuji Within 2 Days Of Opening; Japan Police, Guides Urge Climbers To Prepare Well, Make Wise Decisions
-
Sex Crime Perpetrators Linked to U.S. Military in 166 Cases in Japan over 35 years; Local, Prefectural Governments Often Not Aware of Crimes
-
New Mt. Fuji Rules Reduce ‘Bullet Climbers’ by 90%; Access to Japan’s Iconic Peak Limited from Yamanashi Pref. Side
-
Tokaido Shinkansen Trains Suspended Between Hamamatsu and Nagoya Due to Accident; Resuming Services Expected Noon at Earliest
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Aviation Fuel Shortage Causes Problems at Regional Airports; Growing Demand, Lack of Workers to Transport
- Prices of over 10,000 Food and Beverage Items to Rise This Year; Figure is down from over 30,000 Last Year
- Sony Group to End Production of Blu-ray Discs; Market Has Shrunk Due To Growth Of Hard Disk Drives, Streaming
- Japan Ministry Concerned Over Same-Sex Couple Receiving City-Issued Resident Certificates Referring to ‘Common-Law Husband’
- Japan Court OKs Sex Change without Surgery