Tobu Top Tours has issued an apology over the boat capsizing accident off the coast of Henoko that occurred during a study trip by Doshisha International High School.
The accident took place on March 16, during the school’s study trip, when a small boat carrying students capsized, killing two people, including one student. The school itself had directly selected and arranged the boat-boarding program.
Doshisha International High School explained that the trip was part of a course-based program aimed at peace studies. The vessel in question was a protest boat opposing the construction of the Henoko base, and it has been reported that it was not registered with the Transport Bureau. After the accident, Tobu Top Tours set up an emergency task force headed by its president and had been responding to the situation. The Japan Coast Guard is continuing its investigation.
Tobu Top Tours stated, “In our position as the party responsible for managing the overall travel itinerary, we sincerely acknowledge that we were not able to fully perform our important, original role in itinerary management, such as providing appropriate advice and alerts,” and pledged to make every effort to prevent a recurrence.
