On March 24, Tobu Top Tours posted an apology on its website titled “Regarding an accident on a study tour handled by our company.
This article concerns the capsizing accident of two ships, Heiwa Maru and Shinyoku, which occurred off Henoko in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, on March 16, 2011. A total of 21 people, including 18 students on a school excursion from Doshisha International High School in Kyoto, were aboard the vessels, and one high school student and the captain were killed.
According to the announcement, although Tobu Top Tours was in charge of planning and implementing the school trip, the school directly selected and arranged the shipboarding program.
However, he also stated, “As the manager of the entire trip itinerary, (omitted) I take seriously the fact that we could not take all possible precautions.
The company established an emergency task force headed by the president after the accident occurred. The company’s response going forward is as follows: “We will continue to place the highest priority on the bereaved families, students, and their parents, and we will actively work to rebuild safety management and do our utmost to prevent a recurrence.
At a regular press conference, Minister Yasuyuki Kaneko of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism explained (1) that the “Heiwa Maru” and “Fuyuki” were not registered as businesses under the Maritime Transportation Law, and (2) that the Okinawa General Bureau has been confirming the facts with related parties, including the operating organization since January 19.
Whether or not this transportation falls under the category of business requiring registration under the Maritime Transportation Law will be determined based on such aspects as “whether the transportation is in response to the demand of others” and “whether the transportation is being conducted as a repetitive and continuous business.
The apology (in full) by Tobu Top Tours is as follows
© Source travel watch