ABASHIRI, Hokkaido The Japan Coast Guard on May 29 started an intensive three-day search involving dozens of vessels and aircraft for 12 people still missing since their tour boat sank off eastern Hokkaido five weeks ago.
ABASHIRI, Hokkaido The Japan Coast Guard took the unusual step of obtaining a warrant to take possession of the just-salvaged Kazu I pleasure boat as part of its investigation into the April 23 sinking off the Shiretoko Peninsula that is thought to have claimed 26 lives.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the central government bore some responsibility for the deadly sinking of a tour boat off Hokkaido in late April with 26 passengers and crew on board.
Much to the shock of the family members of the missing passengers and crew members of the sunken tour boat Kazu I, an operation to salvage the vessel proved unsuccessful.