Relatives of nine Japanese who remain missing after a ship they were on was struck and sunk by a U.S. submarine voiced anger Thursday over a recommendation by a U.S. Navy Court of Inquiry not to court-martial three of the sub's officers.
Teruo Terata, 59, whose 18-year-old nephew was on board the fisheries training vessel Ehime Maru when it sank off Hawaii on Feb. 9, said that while he expected the decision, it was "most regrettable."
"I cannot possibly accept this outcome," Terata said, adding the case will be closed "without hurting the organization of the navy and without bringing out facts (of the crash) other than those disclosed at the court of inquiry."
He added that even if the then skipper of the USS Greeneville, Cmdr. Scott Waddle, assumes responsibility by resigning, he would still be entitled to a pension.