Toba, Japan – A collision between a cargo ship and a fishing boat off the coast of Toba, Mie Prefecture, on February 20, 2026, resulted in the deaths of two fishermen and left several others injured. The incident underscores the dangers faced by those working in Japan’s fishing industry and has prompted an investigation into the cause of the accident.
According to reports from the Toba Coast Guard and local fire departments, the cargo ship, identified as the Shinsei Maru, collided with the Kyosei Maru, a fishing vessel, at approximately 12:55 PM local time. The impact caused the Kyosei Maru to break apart and sink. All 13 individuals aboard the fishing boat were rescued, but two were later pronounced dead.
The deceased have been identified as 84-year-old Kōkichi Taniguchi and 67-year-old Motohiro Nakagawa, both residents of Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture. Ten others sustained injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Eight were treated for their injuries, while four required no medical attention.
The captain of the Shinsei Maru initially reported the collision, stating they had struck what appeared to be a fishing vessel. Authorities have arrested 21-year-old Haneru Sugimoto, a second officer on the Shinsei Maru, on suspicion of negligent homicide and endangering traffic. Sugimoto reportedly told investigators that he attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to do so in time.
The Kyosei Maru, operated by a local fishing company in Toba, had departed for a squid fishing trip around noon on February 20. The Shinsei Maru, owned by a shipping company based in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, had left Aiport, Aichi Prefecture, earlier that day and was en route to Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.
The Japan Transport Safety Board has dispatched two investigators to Toba to determine the cause of the collision. The investigation will focus on the circumstances surrounding the incident, including weather conditions and the actions of both vessels. The water temperature in the area had been around 15 degrees Celsius in recent days, and no strong wind or wave warnings were in effect at the time of the accident.
The incident has prompted an outpouring of grief from the local community, with former colleagues of the deceased fishermen expressing their sorrow. One former coworker remembered Taniguchi as someone who “taught me everything from the basics of fishing” and described him as a considerate person. The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the community’s remembrance of the victims.
