TOKYO/OSAKA -- After two years struggling against the coronavirus, Japanese tour companies were hoping for the best in the ongoing Golden Week holiday. But their first big test of post-pandemic demand has been marred by a deadly tragedy at sea.
Fourteen people were dead and 12 remained missing as of Sunday after the tour boat they were riding, the Kazu I, vanished off the coast of the northern island of Hokkaido on April 23. It was later found underwater.
