Key Facts
• In 2022, a sightseeing boat sank off Shiretoko, Hokkaido, killing 20 people.
• Six individuals remain missing three years after the incident.
• On July 13, 2025, 40 family members from 13 families held a memorial at sea.
• The ceremony took place near Kashuni Falls, the site of the sinking.
• This marks the first collective memorial at sea by the victims’ families.
• A grieving parent expressed deep sorrow, saying, “My son had no way back.”
• The tragedy has led to ongoing legal and emotional struggles for the families.
Summary
Three years after the tragic sinking of a sightseeing boat off Shiretoko, Hokkaido, families of the victims gathered for the first time to hold a memorial at sea. The accident, which occurred in 2022, claimed the lives of 20 passengers and crew, with six still missing. On July 13, 2025, 40 family members from 13 families departed from the port to conduct the ceremony near Kashuni Falls, the site of the disaster. A parent expressed profound grief, lamenting the loss of their son. This collective act of remembrance highlights the enduring pain and unresolved questions surrounding the incident.
