Doshisha board chair to resign over fatal Okinawa boat accident

Eiji Hatta, the board of trustees chair of the Doshisha school corporation, has announced his intention to resign following a fatal boat accident in Okinawa. The incident occurred on March 16 off the coast of Henoko, Nago, during a school trip involving Doshisha International Senior High School. Two boats carrying students capsized, resulting in the deaths of 17-year-old student Tomoka Takeishi and boat captain Hajime Kanai.

In addition to Hatta’s resignation, Kikuo Nishida, the principal of Doshisha International Senior High School, will step down at the end of August. While Hatta is expected to resign as board chair, he intends to remain as the corporation’s chancellor and a board member.

The family of the deceased student released a statement expressing that while they acknowledge the responsibility taken by the corporation's top official, they urge that the resignation not lead to a simplified or superficial investigation. They emphasized the need for a thorough explanation of what occurred and a commitment to preventing future tragedies. An investigation report previously noted that the school corporation failed in its obligations regarding trip planning, safety inspections, and communication with parents.