Doshisha International High School Capsizing Accident off Henoko: Chairman Holds First Apology Press Conference and Explains Future Measures

Key points

On March 16, 2026, off Henoko in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, two small boats carrying students from Doshisha International High School on a school trip capsized due to high waves, resulting in the deaths of one female student and one boat captain. On October 30, 2026, Eiji Hatta, chairman of the Doshisha educational corporation, held the first press conference since the accident, offering an apology and explaining future measures including recurrence prevention and the establishment of a committee to examine educational neutrality. Bereaved families expressed discomfort over the delay and insufficiency of explanations. Future developments are being closely watched. We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and related parties. [1] [3]

Overview of the Capsizing Accident during Doshisha International High School's School Trip off Henoko, Okinawa

Around 10:10 a.m. on March 16, 2026, off Henoko in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, two small boats carrying 18 students from Doshisha International High School on a school trip capsized one after another due to high waves. The accident resulted in the deaths of one female student and one boat captain, with 16 students and two crew members injured. The boats were operated by the citizen group "Helibase Hantai Kyogikai," which opposes the relocation of the U.S. military base. The accident occurred in a shallow area on a reef. Only one accompanying teacher was assigned, and that teacher did not board the boats on the day of the accident. [2]

Despite a wave advisory being issued on the day of the accident, the decision to set sail was left solely to the captain's visual confirmation, with no formalized cancellation criteria. Students wore life jackets, but instruction on how to wear them was insufficient. The boats were not registered under the Maritime Transport Law, and later investigations pointed out problems with the school's safety management system. Deficiencies in the accompanying teacher system and safety management were underlying factors in the accident. It was also revealed that students themselves reported the accident to the Coast Guard in the absence of accompanying teachers. [2]

Causes of the Accident and Issues in the School's Safety Management

A third-party committee investigating the accident pointed to deficiencies in the school's safety management as a cause. The school failed to conduct adequate preliminary inspections and safety confirmations, overly trusted the boat captain, and suffered from organizational governance failures. On May 22, 2026, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) recognized the school's safety management system as "seriously inappropriate" and also pointed out violations of political neutrality as stipulated in the Basic Act on Education. This was the first case of such a violation recognized by the ministry. The school's peace education program was also criticized for being biased toward a one-sided perspective. [1] [2]

MEXT's investigation revealed that the school placed excessive trust in the boat captain, who was a pastor, relying on a verbal agreement with only a gratuity and no formal contract. Other safety management issues included boarding from a dangerous seawall and the accompanying teacher not boarding the boats. These issues were attributed to governance problems, where decision-making under the principal's responsibility lacked discussions based on laws and regulations and necessary reviews were not conducted. The Coast Guard continues to investigate on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death and injury. Bereaved families have filed criminal complaints against school officials. [2]

Chairman's Press Conference, Apology, and Future Measures

On October 30, 2026, Eiji Hatta, chairman of the Doshisha educational corporation, held the first press conference since the accident and apologized. He acknowledged deficiencies in safety management and organizational governance failures, stating that he takes responsibility seriously. He indicated his intention to resign as chairman once accountability is fulfilled but will remain in the position of president overseeing education and academic affairs for the time being. The conference also explained future initiatives, including recurrence prevention measures and the establishment of a committee to examine educational neutrality. [1] [3] [5] [6]

The chairman also acknowledged the political neutrality violations pointed out by MEXT, stating, "It was problematic that peace education was conducted from only one perspective. This should be corrected." He explained that the approximately seven-and-a-half-month delay in holding the conference was due to the time required to review recurrence prevention measures and crisis management manuals. Going forward, an external expert committee will verify educational neutrality and safety management systems. The chairman expressed commitment to steadily advancing educational improvement plans. [6]

Bereaved Families' Reactions and Evaluation of the Press Conference

In response to the chairman's apology press conference, the bereaved family of the deceased female student expressed discomfort with the delay and insufficiency of explanations. They stated that the prior silence caused an "indescribable discomfort" and "emptiness," and that the conference alone is not sufficient for closure. The families urged the educational corporation to seriously consider the meaning of fulfilling its accountability. Although the conference lasted about five hours, complex feelings remain among the bereaved families. They are closely watching the school's future responses with a critical eye. [4]

Meanwhile, public reactions to the conference have been mixed, with ongoing discussions about the educational corporation's responsibility and the nature of education. The accident's background includes the relationship between the school and the citizen group, as well as issues of political neutrality in education, requiring further examination. Sincere responses that consider the voices of the bereaved families are demanded. Efforts to fully clarify the accident and prevent recurrence continue to attract attention. We again express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and related parties. (Sources: FNN Prime Online, Kyodo News, Sankei News, Jiken JP) [4]