Two people were injured Tuesday when a college rowing cutter capsized between Tomogashima groups of islands near the city of Wakayama and Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, pitching the 23 people aboard into the ocean.
One crew member clung to the hull and was rescued by a passing pleasure boat. The others swam to Awaji Island.
The boat, operated by Kobe University's rowing club, set off Tuesday from a port in Wakayama. It was heading for Awaji Island when it was hit by high waves from behind.
A high seas warning was in place. The local meteorological station first issued the warning on Monday.
The incident was reported by the Japan Coast Guard. The agency released no details about the fate of the boat.