Doshisha Chairman ``Heartfelt Apology'' Seven and a half months after the accident, apologizes at first press conference - Henoko overturns

Two small boats capsized off the coast of Henoko in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, killing two people, including Tomoka Takeishi, then 17, a second-year student at Doshisha International High School (Kyoto Prefecture). Eiji Hatta, chairman of Doshisha Educational Corporation, which operates the school, held his first press conference since the accident in Kyoto City on the 30th. ``I would like to express my deepest condolences to Mr. Takeishi, and sincerely apologize to everyone involved.I am truly sorry,'' he apologized, and held a moment of silence.

Hatta apologized for taking about seven and a half months to hold a press conference. A committee was set up on the 22nd to consider issues such as the neutrality of education, and it was predicted that it would take more time to investigate the accident, so the press conference was held for an interim report.

Referring to the fact that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology pointed out that there were major problems with the safety management system, he said, ``As the president of the board, I have a heavy responsibility.'' The ministry also expressed the view that the content of learning related to the relocation of the U.S. military's Futenma Air Base violates the Fundamental Act on Education, which stipulates political neutrality.``The problem was that peace learning was conducted from only one perspective.We need to correct this.''

Mr. Hatta announced that he would resign as chairman of the board after setting his sights on improving the governance of the school corporation. ``I want to steadily move forward with the education improvement plan and take responsibility for it until the end,'' he said, indicating his intention to remain in the positions of president and director.