Seiichi Katsurada, president of a Hokkaido tour boat operator, was sentenced to five years in prison on June 17, 2026, for professional negligence resulting in the deaths of 26 people in 2022 [1, 2].
The 19-ton tour boat Kazu I sank on April 23, 2022, off the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, killing or leaving missing all 26 aboard [1, 2]. The Kushiro District Court found Katsurada guilty of failing to cancel the cruise despite bad weather forecasts that predicted strong winds and waves [1, 2]. Presiding Judge Takeo Mizukoshi said Katsurada "could have foreseen an obstacle to safe operations" [1].
The sinking was partly caused by a hatch on the boat that did not shut properly, allowing water to enter [2]. Katsurada’s defense argued he could not have foreseen the tragedy, pointing out that he did check weather reports and was informed the captain planned to shorten the route and return early [1, 2]. They also said Katsurada was not aware of the defective hatch [1, 2].
Prosecutors maintained Katsurada bore responsibility because he allowed the cruise to proceed despite the weather warnings [1, 2]. The defense said Katsurada was not directly responsible for vessel operations and lacked key information on safety defects [1, 2].
There is some disagreement over the exact number of fatalities. Some sources say all 26 on board died [1], while others report 18 passengers and 2 crew confirmed dead with 6 passengers missing [2].
Katsurada was 62 years old at the time of sentencing [1, 2]. The verdict marks the first prison sentence related to the disaster, which remains one of Japan’s deadliest maritime accidents in recent years. The court’s ruling underscores legal accountability for operational decisions in the face of known risks.
The case ends with the sentencing on June 17, 2026, closing the criminal proceedings against Katsurada for the Kazu I disaster [1, 2].
