The apology, coupled with the Israeli company’s offer to compensate the families of victims was well received by the Japanese public. The Israeli and Japanese governments are working in conjunction with Zim representatives to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Zim Board of Directors Chairman Idan Ofer was the first to offer an official apology, after meeting with Japanese envoy Jun Yokota earlier this week. "On behalf of Zim Shipping, we want to first of all apologize to the crew of the Japanese vessel. It's a sad day for us. There is no doubt Zim's ship hit the Japanese boat, but we don't believe our captain was aware he hit anything…any captain aware that he hit a vessel, and that there were survivors, would have offered help," Ofer stated.
Zim’s public apology, which reflected a sensitivity to the cultural expectations in Japan, had a positive impact on Japanese public opinion. In addition the company’s claim of accountability offset earlier denials of Zim’s involvement and accusations of a “hit and run” scenario.
The apology also served a source of comfort to the families of the Japanese victims. "The most important point in the eyes of the Japanese is an apology from the depths of the heart," an Israeli Embassay official in Tokyo told Haaretz newspaper.
Yokota expressed his satisfaction with the Israeli company's response, stating "The Zim President visited with me today and apologized and offered complete cooperation in uncovering the facts. Mr. Ofer stated that he would do all that he could to help the families of the victims."
Probe into circumstances of collision intensifies
The investigation into the accident intensified yesterday following the Japanese Coast Guard's decision to dispatch four of their own investigators to Hong Kong to join Zim's internal team of investigators. The Israeli Transportation Ministry also sent a representative who is participating in the probe.
Israeli Ambassador to Japan Eli Cohen and Zim officials are slated to fly to northern Japan to meet with local leadership and personally offer condolences to family members of victims in the Hokkaido region. In addition the Captain on duty at the time of the collision, Moshe Ben David, will be returning to Israel for questioning and a temporary replacement will be sent to operate the Zim Asia vessel.
The Zim Asia
The Japanese government is reported to have contacted the Israel Foreign Ministry, sending a list of demands that Israel is said to have agreed to fully. This cooperation between the governments is what enabled the Japanese to take part in the investigation despite the fact that the accident occurred in international waters, which would have normally limited jurisdiction to International naval authorities.
Zim President Doron Goder stated emphatically that his company is determined to uncover the truth and will accept responsibility for any negligence on their part. “We will not rest until we find out what happened on the night of the accident. If we find that something was not according to proper procedure, those responsible will be punished,” Goder promised.
Zim Board of Directors Chairman Idan Ofer was the first to offer an official apology, after meeting with Japanese envoy Jun Yokota earlier this week. "On behalf of Zim Shipping, we want to first of all apologize to the crew of the Japanese vessel. It's a sad day for us. There is no doubt Zim's ship hit the Japanese boat, but we don't believe our captain was aware he hit anything…any captain aware that he hit a vessel, and that there were survivors, would have offered help," Ofer stated.
Zim’s public apology, which reflected a sensitivity to the cultural expectations in Japan, had a positive impact on Japanese public opinion. In addition the company’s claim of accountability offset earlier denials of Zim’s involvement and accusations of a “hit and run” scenario.
The apology also served a source of comfort to the families of the Japanese victims. "The most important point in the eyes of the Japanese is an apology from the depths of the heart," an Israeli Embassay official in Tokyo told Haaretz newspaper.
Yokota expressed his satisfaction with the Israeli company's response, stating "The Zim President visited with me today and apologized and offered complete cooperation in uncovering the facts. Mr. Ofer stated that he would do all that he could to help the families of the victims."
Probe into circumstances of collision intensifies
The investigation into the accident intensified yesterday following the Japanese Coast Guard's decision to dispatch four of their own investigators to Hong Kong to join Zim's internal team of investigators. The Israeli Transportation Ministry also sent a representative who is participating in the probe.
Israeli Ambassador to Japan Eli Cohen and Zim officials are slated to fly to northern Japan to meet with local leadership and personally offer condolences to family members of victims in the Hokkaido region. In addition the Captain on duty at the time of the collision, Moshe Ben David, will be returning to Israel for questioning and a temporary replacement will be sent to operate the Zim Asia vessel.
The Japanese government is reported to have contacted the Israel Foreign Ministry, sending a list of demands that Israel is said to have agreed to fully. This cooperation between the governments is what enabled the Japanese to take part in the investigation despite the fact that the accident occurred in international waters, which would have normally limited jurisdiction to International naval authorities.
Zim President Doron Goder stated emphatically that his company is determined to uncover the truth and will accept responsibility for any negligence on their part. “We will not rest until we find out what happened on the night of the accident. If we find that something was not according to proper procedure, those responsible will be punished,” Goder promised.