It has been 23 days and half a year since the tourist boat sank off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido.


The Coast Guard Headquarters and the police are still searching the coast of the peninsula for clues about the missing six people.

In April, 20 people died in an accident in which the sightseeing boat "KAZU 1" carrying 26 passengers and crew sank off the coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula, and the whereabouts of 6 passengers are still unknown.



The 1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters and the police are conducting an intensive search on the coast of the tip of the peninsula again from the 21st, trying to find clues that lead to the missing person.



On the 23rd, the waves near the coast were high, so divers were unable to conduct a search, but when the weather improves, we will divide into land and sea to search for clues.



In the two-day search until the 22nd, a total of 16 bone-like things were found, and it is expected that DNA appraisal will proceed in the future.

On the other hand, regarding the accident, the Japan Coast Guard Headquarters is examining the salvaged hull and identifying the cause of the sinking by restoring data on evidence such as electronic devices that have been found so far. The Japan Transport Safety Board is also investigating.



In addition, the Japan Coast Guard Headquarters is investigating the suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death by interviewing the president of the operating company "Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat", Seiichi Katsura, on a voluntary basis. Long term is expected.

Passenger's family agent "Consider pursuing responsibility not only for the operating company but also for the country"

A lawyer representing the passenger's family responded to NHK's interview and revealed that they are considering pursuing the responsibility of not only the operating company but also the country in claiming damages in the future.



Attorney Hiroshi Yamada, who belongs to the Sapporo Bar Association, is the leader of a victim defense team set up by lawyers to support claims for compensation from the families of passengers after the sinking accident.



In an interview with NHK on the 12th of this month, lawyer Yamada said, "In seeking compensation for damages, if we bring up a lawsuit for compensation from the state, we can expect increased social debate on safe navigation and new legal measures." He said that he was considering not only the operating company, but also the country that supervised it and the Japan Small Ship Inspection Organization, which inspected the hull.



After that, he said, "I would like to proceed with the examination while listening to the family's opinion."



In addition, there are many voices among family members asking Seiichi Katsura, the president of the operating company, to apologize again.



Regarding this, Yamada said, ``I didn't feel sincerity in the apology at the press conference held immediately after the accident. I was talking.

Bereaved families who lost their families in another accident care for the victim's family

Regarding this sinking accident, bereaved families who lost their families in another accident in the past are taking care of the victims' families.



Kuniko Miyajima, 75, who lost her 9-year-old son in the crash of a JAL jumbo plane 37 years ago, is one of them. I am serving



In addition to participating in briefing sessions on the status of missing persons searches held by the government for families, she also conducts individual interviews online with the families of passengers, mainly providing emotional care.



According to Mr. Miyajima, some of the family members have been physically and mentally exhausted after the accident.



Mr. Miyajima said, "The victims' families are preoccupied with the cause of the accident, liability issues, and compensation, but I feel that the most important thing is the inexhaustible feelings for the deceased family." We were the same way,' but I hope that they will live step by step."



After that, he said, ``It is the same for ships, planes, and buses, but the company should prepare a victim support plan in case of an accident.'' I showed the idea that I should send it to people.