The Tokyo High Court on Wednesday ordered the government and a former Maritime Self-Defense Force petty officer to pay more than ¥73 million in damages to the family of a seaman who committed suicide in 2004 — a figure markedly higher than the ¥4.4 million sought earlier in a lower court ruling.

The Yokohama District Court previously ruled in 2011 that the suicide could not have been foreseen, but the high court said it was predictable and could have been avoided.

"I proved that my son's life was worthwhile," the 60-year-old mother of the seaman said with tears in her eyes after the court made its ruling.