The overturned Japanese fishing boat
Photo: AP
Japanese accident survivor challenges Zim account
Kanama Fujisato says he does not believe Zim crew's claim that accident was unfelt
The account of the Zim ship's crew of their collision with a Japanese fishing boat has been challenged by a survivor of the accident.
The Japanese newspaper Yomyuri Shombon published the eye witness account of Kanama Fujisato, 53, the sole survivor of the collision, in which he said, "I don't believe that the Zim Asia ship didn't feel us. If they had saved us immediately, my colleagues could have survived, like me," said Fujisato.
"After I felt two strong shocks and our boat turned over, I was sure I was going to die. Water began penetrating the cabinet. But I put on a lifesavers vest, and continued to hit the bottom of the turned over boat. When the rescue crew arrived, the water was already up to my neck," recounted Fujisato, who survived the accident due to an air pocket. "I only felt as if I was really saved after I left the boat," he added.
Sources close to the investigation said that Fujisato was a key witness, and hundreds of journalists flocked to the northern island of Hokiado to hear his statement.
"It all happened in 2 -3 minutes. Everything was dark and I couldn't see anything. I asked if everyone was okay, but there was no answer. I was in the water up to my shoulders for hours, and I was able to grab a lifesavers vest which floated in my direction. I pounded on the boat for hours with a plank of wood. When I heard a sound outside of the boat, I thought I might make it afterall," saud Fujisato.
Fujusato's daughter said, "Why did they run away without reporting it? If they were quickly saved, maybe some of them could have been saved."
Japan's ambassador to Israel, Jon Yokota, told Ynet that the collision may worsen Israeli-Japanese ties. "The question now is, was this really a case of hit-and-run," he said earlier this week.
