Overview

• On July 27, a 13-year-old boy from Moriyama City, Shiga, was found submerged about 15 meters from shore off Kihoku Town and later pronounced dead by Mie Prefectural Police.
• The student had been snorkeling with nine family members when he went missing the previous evening and was located at around 5:20 AM.
• Around 10:15 AM, a nearby surfer spotted a 48-year-old part-time employee face-down beside his board about 10 meters offshore at Uchitsuma Beach in Tokushima, prompting a 119 emergency call.
• He was transported to a hospital but died approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes later, with drowning ruled as the cause and his surfboard still attached by a leash.
• Investigations are under way in Mie and Tokushima as authorities review lifeguard coverage and public water safety measures at popular summer beaches.