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Japan May Review Tourist Boat Rules After Fatal Sinking: Asahi

A Japan Coast Guard helicopter searching near the coast of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido on April 29.

A Japan Coast Guard helicopter searching near the coast of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido on April 29.

Source: Jiji Press/AFP/Getty Images

Japan may tighten oversight of its tourist boat industry after a vessel sank off the northern island of Hokkaido, killing at least 14 people on board, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported, citing an unidentified government official. 

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is considering introducing tougher penalties, such as banning companies from operating sightseeing boats, if it finds problems in safety management, the report said Saturday.