Second Navigation Officer Arrested After Cargo Ship Hits Fishing Boat Off Central Japan, Killing 2

A cargo ship rammed into an anchored recreational fishing vessel off Toba, Mie Prefecture, Japan, killing two and injuring 10 others in their 60s to 80s.

The 499-ton Shinsei Maru had offloaded its steel cargo on Friday and left Kinuura Port. The vessel, which entered service in 2025, was headed to Kurashiki Port when the tragic incident occurred.

The cargo ship struck the fishing boat with such force that the latter split in two and later capsized.

The 12 people, all senior citizens and the captain were thrown overboard as a result of the impact. However, all of them were wearing life jackets, which prevented serious injuries.

According to media reports, the recreational fishing vessel had taken the 12 people out at midday close to Toba in Central Japan.

The fishing boat anchored a few minutes before the cargo ship entered the scene.

A crew member from a nearby boat testified to seeing the cargo ship striking the 16-ton fishing boat Kousei Maru.

The 12 people were quickly rescued by the nearby fishing boats. The Coast Guard also responded immediately.

Two people, Kokichi Taniguchi, 84, and Motohiro Nakagawa, 67, both anglers from Matsusaka, Mie, suffered from cardiac arrest and were rushed to the hospital, where they were declared dead.

The others suffered from minor injuries and received medical care, per the Toba Coast Guard Office.

The captain of the cargo ship reportedly said to the Coast Guard, ‘We hit a fishing boat or something.’

The vessel was ordered to halt for inspection, and per initial investigation, the captain was not at the helm when it struck the fishing boat.

None of the ship’s 5-member crew suffered from any injuries.

The Coast Guard arrested Hanon Sugimoto, the 21-year-old second navigation officer of the cargo ship, who was steering it, on suspicion of professional negligence.

The Japan Transport Safety Board will send 4 marine accident investigators to the site to prepare a detailed report of the accident.