The tragic accident in which two boats carrying students from Doshisha International High School (Kyoto Prefecture) capsized off Henoko in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, claiming the lives of two people, entered a new phase on the 20th when the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters (Naha) conducted home searches at locations related to the protest group. The investigation is expected to analyze the group's communication devices and clarify matters such as who held authority for departure decisions and the contractual relationship between the group and the school.
An investigation source revealed: "To clarify the communications between the protest group and the school, the use of digital forensics (electronic evidence analysis) is also under consideration."
The two capsized boats had been used by the "Helicopter Base Opposition Council," which protests the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma (Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture) to Henoko. The captain of the protest boat "Fukutsu," which capsized first, So Kanai (71), who died in the incident, was a pastor who had been taking students from the school—known for its Christian-based education—aboard boats off Henoko since Reiwa 5 (2023).
According to the school, decisions on student boarding were to be made "on-site through consultation between the supervising teacher and Pastor Kanai, the captain" (Principal Kikuo Nishida). Departure decisions were also largely left to Kanai.
If future investigation results reveal facts indicating that the boats created dangers to navigation and caused death or injury to passengers, the captain's liability for negligence may be questioned.
The captain made the decision to depart amid a high wave advisory. The investigation appears to focus on the causal relationship between loading a near-capacity number of students onto small vessels and navigating in rough seas. For professional negligence resulting in death or injury to apply, prosecutors must prove: (1) whether the accident risk could have been foreseen in advance, and (2) whether necessary measures were taken to avoid it. This will likely require meticulous investigation.
It has also been confirmed that the group was not registered as a business under the Maritime Transport Act, and the 11th Regional Coast Guard is advancing the investigation on suspicion of violating that law as well. The group's sloppy operational practices—such as lacking codified departure criteria—have come to light, raising questions about whether its safety management system was adequate. The Coast Guard is proceeding cautiously with the probe.
Japan has finally become a proper country capable of cracking down on fake pacifists. (Naoki Otake, Ryo Kuramochi)
by Bright_Fuel2271