August 23, 2010
2 Maritime Self-Defense Force officers have pleaded not guilty in a case of a fatal collision between a destroyer and a fishing boat 2 years ago.
In February 2008, the destroyer Atago, equipped with an advanced Aegis radar system, collided with the fishing boat in the Pacific off Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo. The boat's father-and-son crew were not found and were declared dead.
The 2 lieutenant commanders, Tomohisa Nagaiwa and Keitaro Ushirogata, are facing charges of professional negligence resulting in death.
Nagaiwa told the Yokohama District Court during an initial hearing on Monday that the content of the indictment is completely false.
Nagaiwa was on lookout duty and had command of the destroyer when the collision took place.
Ushirogata, who had the same duties just before the accident, also called the indictment groundless.
Prosecutors said Ushirogata mistakenly judged that the fishing boat had stopped, and failed to watch sufficiently.
The prosecutors also said Nagaiwa did not take evasive measures until just before the collision.
2010/08/23 12:21(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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