Ookuni Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On October 18, 2023, the Japanese government made public a significant 13-minute video documenting the collision between the Fisheries Agency patrol ship 'Ooguni' and a North Korean trawler. This release aims to illustrate Japan's adherence to proper procedures during the incident, which took place on October 7 in the Sea of Japan, approximately 350 kilometers northwest of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. The collision resulted in the sinking of the North Korean vessel, countering claims from Pyongyang that Japan had intentionally caused the incident. The footage reveals that the 'Ooguni' had attempted to enforce its maritime rights by directing water cannon blasts towards the North Korean trawler, which had allegedly ignored warnings to vacate Japan's exclusive economic zone. Initially sailing in parallel, the North Korean vessel turned unexpectedly to port, colliding with the 'Ooguni', which subsequently led to the trawler taking on water and capsizing. Crew members from the North Korean ship were seen abandoning their vessel and jumping into the sea. Takashi Koya, an official from Japan’s Fisheries Agency, confirmed that the actions taken by the 'Ooguni', including the use of water cannons, were entirely appropriate under the circumstances. Following the collision, the patrol ship deployed lifeboats to assist the North Korean crew, who were later rescued by another nearby North Korean vessel. Observations made during the incident suggested that the sunken vessel was likely involved in illegal fishing activities, supported by the presence of fishing gear and drying squid on deck. In June, North Korea demanded compensation for what it termed Japan's 'deliberate sinking' of the ship, and urged Tokyo to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Japan responded by labeling these claims as 'totally unacceptable.' After the encounter, a Japan Coast Guard vessel arrived at the site but did not interrogate the North Korean crew about the incident. This led both ruling and opposition parties in Japan to press for the video to be released. Although the government was initially hesitant, the decision to disclose the edited footage—originally four hours long—was ultimately made to reinforce the legitimacy of the 'Ooguni’s' actions. The area where the incident occurred has increasingly become a hotspot for illegal fishing activities by North Korean and Chinese vessels, prompting intensified patrol efforts by Japanese authorities. For more details, you can watch the report with the video here: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/10/19/national/japan-releases-video-ship-collision-involving-fisheries-agency-north-korean-trawler/#.Xa4VpUfgrIU

In a provocative demand, North Korea is calling on the Japanese government to provide financial compensation for the recent sinking of a North Korean fishing boat, which reportedly collided with the Japanese vessel 'Ookuni'. A spokesperson from the North Korean Foreign Ministry has labeled the incident as a deliberate act, outright rejecting Japan's assertion that the collision was a result of the fishing boat's sharp maneuvering. In response, Japanese officials are contemplating releasing footage of the incident to support their position and clarify the circumstances leading to the sinking. To view the video documenting the collision and subsequent sinking, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=390&v=9NNpy0DLs48.

On October 7, 2019, a maritime incident unfolded in the Sea of Japan when the Japanese Fisheries Agency ship, 'Ookuni,' collided with a sizable North Korean fishing vessel at approximately 9:10 a.m. The incident took place about 350 kilometers northwest of Ishikawa Prefecture's Noto Peninsula, a rich fishing area within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Following the collision, the North Korean ship sank within thirty minutes, prompting its crew of over 20 members to abandon ship and enter life rafts. The 'Ookuni' promptly engaged in a rescue operation, assisting the stranded crew members. In response to the collision, Japan's Coast Guard deployed a patrol boat along with several other vessels to the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. This incident highlights ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard and Fisheries Agency to safeguard Japanese waters from illegal fishing activities. For more details, view the report with video coverage here: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191007_20/