Captain of Incident at Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat Company Faces Scrutiny for Ignoring Bad Weather Amid History of Poor Practices

Two and a half years after the unprecedented accident, the top of the operating company has finally been caught.

On September 18, the 1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters arrested Seiichi Katsurada (61), president of the sightseeing boat operation company “Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat” (Shari, Hokkaido), on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death and professional negligence causing danger during operations. The incident that led to the arrest occurred on April 23, 2022. Despite being the operations manager, Katsurada neglected to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, and instructed the departure of the sightseeing boat despite bad weather. The boat sank off the cold coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula, resulting in 20 deaths, with six people still missing.

“FRIDAY Digital” reported in detail on April 29 of the same year about the circumstances of the accident and the press conference held by Katsurada. We would like to revisit the “dark resume” of Katsurada, who was called a “novice at sea,” and the reality of the black company (some content has been modified).

 

“It looks like a performance.”

During the approximately two-and-a-half-hour press conference, he bowed deeply three times.

Four days after the incident in which the sightseeing boat ‘KAZU 1’ (hereafter ‘Kazuwan’), carrying 26 passengers and crew, went missing off the coast of Shiretoko, Hokkaido, the suspect Katsurada from the operating company ‘Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat’ finally held a press conference on April 27, 2022. However, he constantly provided explanations that raised doubts about his ability to assess the sea conditions, such as stating that ‘it wasn’t rough in the morning.’ His remarks revealed a lack of safety awareness.

“The bowing also looks like a performance. The president is a novice at sea. I wonder if he truly understands what caused the accident and what went wrong.”

This is what Mr. A, a resident living near the port of Utoro, the home port of the ‘Kazuwan,’ says about the suspect Katsurada. What kind of person is Katsurada, whom acquaintances refer to as a “novice at sea”? Mr. A continues.

“He attended high school in Abashiri, about 60 kilometers away in a straight line from his hometown of Shari, as a boarding student. After graduation, he learned pottery skills at a facility similar to a vocational training school in Ibaraki Prefecture. He returned to Shari Town after he turned 40, and he helped out at the inn and hotel run by his parents.”

Seiichi Katsurada took over his parents’ business and became the president of “Shiretoko Village,” which operates facilities like “Kokumin Shukusha Katsurada,” in April 2015. He acquired “Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat” the following year.

“It seems the previous president put the business up for sale due to old age. Katsurada was the one who stepped forward. He reportedly bought the entire office and the boat for several tens of millions of yen,” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs department.

However, internal conflicts began at “Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat” shortly after.

“Katsurada may be a professional in the innkeeping business, but he is a novice when it comes to the sea. It seems he prioritized business. Even when the sea was rough, he instructed, ‘Just send the boat out!’ to make a profit. All the experienced crew members who opposed him ended up quitting. I’ve heard that he had no choice but to rehire inexperienced staff at low wages,” Mr. A said.

“He has talent.”

Captain Noriyuki Toyoda of the “Kazuwan,” which was involved in the accident, was also questioned regarding his abilities. He joined “Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat” about two years before the incident. Prior to that, he worked for an organization focused on amphibious vehicles, but he reportedly had no experience navigating a boat in rough seas like those off Shiretoko.

“It is usually said that it takes about three years to become proficient in boat handling, but Katsurada praised Toyoda, saying he had ‘talent,’ and made him captain in about a year. Moreover, he had him manage two boats on his own. Toyoda, who was serious and taciturn, likely struggled with the pressure of having to meet demands. He posted on his Facebook: ‘I am struggling in a black company,'” the source said.

Captain Toyoda ran aground shortly after departing in June 2021. He was later sent to prosecutors in January 2022 on suspicion of professional negligence causing danger during operations. Mr. A continues.

“During the press conference, Katsurada stated that the final responsibility lies with ‘me,’ while saying that the departure of the boat involved in the accident was based on the ‘captain’s judgment.’ It gives the impression that he is shifting responsibility onto Toyoda. Typically, small sightseeing boats start operations around Golden Week, but ‘Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat’ advanced its schedule by nearly a week, likely prioritizing profit. I believe that Katsurada’s disregard for the weather and neglect of safety led to this tragedy.”

At a meeting to explain the situation to the bereaved families, Katsurada vaguely stated, “Including the fact that I don’t know what caused the accident, it’s my inadequacy.” It can be said that the accident was caused by the “black history” that led him this far without sufficient knowledge about the sea. Participants at the explanation meeting reportedly shouted, “Provide a satisfactory explanation!” and “What do you think about the deceased!”

With this recent arrest, there is much interest in how Katsurada will respond during police questioning.