World | Other World Stories
Japanese naval destroyer collides with fishing boat
A Japanese naval destroyer crucial to Japan's missile defence system collided with a fishing boat on Tuesday, the coast guard said.
- Agencies
- Published: 15:40 February 19, 2008
Tokyo: A Japanese naval destroyer crucial to Japan's missile defence system collided with a fishing boat on Tuesday, the coast guard said, sparking questions about the ship's monitoring of other ocean traffic.
Two men on board the fishing boat were missing after the collision east of Tokyo, prompting a search by military and coast guard vessels and aircraft.
The Atago destroyer, the newest of Japan's five ships, is equipped with high-tech Aegis radar systems and typically carries a crew of around 300. It was heading back to Japan after a training exercise in Hawaii, a defence ministry spokesman said.
The opposition Democratic Party's top point person on defence criticized the government's competence in the matter, questioning why the destroyer's crew and defensive radar had not seen the fishing boat.
Human error has been cited as the most probable reason. Some analysts said the Aegis system, used primarily for air defence, was unlikely to have been at fault.
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
Secret Service admits failure over White House-crashers
May pursue criminal investigation against salahis
-
Aquino, running mate file certificates of candidacy
Number of showbusiness glitterati show support for Cory's son
-
Polanski chalet secured for sentence
Court order specifies monitoring bracelet to be worn by sex offender
