The Defense Agency will pay $16.7 million in compensation to the families of 30 civilians killed in a naval accident in July, agency officials said Friday.
The victims were among 48 people aboard a sports fishing boat, the 154-ton No. 1 Fujimaru, which was rammed sideways by the navy submarine Nadashio near the mouth of Tokyo Bay on July 23.The incident sparked public outrage when photographs and witnesses revealed that many crew members stood atop the sub and watched people drown. Defense Agency Director Tsutomu Kawara resigned in August to take responsibility for the accident.