At least 14 people died and three others were reported missing nationwide from Sunday through Monday as water-related accidents took their toll on recreational swimmers in the last days of summer vacation.
Sunday was the last day before schools reopened, and many people, young and old, spent the day at beaches and rivers.
Accidents were reported in Akita, Ibaraki, Hokkaido, Kanagawa, Fukui, Osaka and Okinawa prefectures.