On April 15, the president of a Hokkaido boat tour company was convicted by a Japanese court for professional negligence leading to the deaths of 26 people in the tourist vessel sinking off the coast of Hokkaido in April 2022.
According to the court's ruling, the defendant—who operated the boat tour company—failed to implement necessary safety measures, including ignoring bad weather warnings and allowing the vessel to sail in hazardous conditions. The sinking occurred near the Shiretoko Peninsula, an area known for its pristine scenery but also frequently subjected to large waves and strong winds.
Among the 26 victims were 24 passengers and 2 crew members. The tour boat, named Kazu I, lost contact just hours after leaving port and was later found sunk at a depth of about 120 meters. The search operation lasted several days, involving Japan's coast guard and numerous local vessels.
The verdict was handed down at the Sapporo District Court. The defendant was convicted of negligence resulting in death, a charge carrying a maximum prison sentence of five years or a fine. The trial attracted public attention, reflecting the grief of the victims' families and raising questions about safety management responsibilities in the water tourism industry.
Prosecutors argued that the defendant was well aware of the adverse weather forecast but still decided to set sail, disregarding safety procedures. Defense lawyers contended that weather was not the sole factor causing the disaster and suggested the vessel encountered an unexpected technical malfunction. However, the court rejected this argument, stressing that primary responsibility lay with the person who made the final decision.
After the ruling, many relatives of the victims expressed satisfaction but also deep sorrow. Some said they hope this verdict will serve as a wake-up call for other tourism businesses, compelling them to strictly adhere to safety standards to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.
