
The president of Shiretoko Pleasure Boat, Seiichi Katsurada, apologizes at a press conference on Wednesday for a sightseeing boat accident off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido.
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.”

Shiretoko Pleasure Boat President Seiichi Katsurada speaks at a press conference in Shari, Hokkaido, on Wednesday.
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
-
Over 300 Earthquakes Rumble in Sea Off Japan’s Kagoshima Pref. Islands, Putting Residents on Alert
-
Typhoon Sepat Forms near Ogasawara Islands
-
Fukuoka City School Lunch Menu with Only One Karaage Fried Chicken Draws Criticism; Mayor Vows to Improve School Meals
-
M5.1 Earthquake Hits Japan’s Kagoshima Prefecture Islands
-
46-year-old Man Killed by Bear in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture; 2nd Man Sustained Minor Injuries
JN ACCESS RANKING
-
Japan Eyes Hosting Major International Standards Conference in 2029; Govt Making Plans to Host IEC Event in Yokohama
-
Tariff-Free Rice to Be Auctioned Off 3 Months Early, as Japan Seeks to Tame High Prices for the Staple
-
Agriculture Minister Considers Review of Japan’s Rice Harvest Statistics (UPDATE 1)
-
Japan’s Agriculture Ministry Starts Survey of Rice Farmers Across Japan on Production Outlook
-
Japan’s Core Inflation Hits 2-year High, Keeps Rate-Hike Bets Alive