Skeletons found on ‘ghost ships’ that wash up in Japan
Authorities unable to confirm origin of series of vessels coming ashore

At least four so-called “ghost ships” have washed up on Japan's west coast this month, some with decomposing bodies still on board.
While authorities haven't confirmed their origin, “signs suggest they're from North Korea,” says CNN.
The latest incident occurred when a small wooden ship containing eight bodies which had been partly reduced to skeletons washed up on a beach in the Sea of Japan.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The ship was found by the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) in the northern Akita Prefecture, days after two similarly partially decomposed bodies were found on the island of Sado.
Reuters reported that the two bodies were found with a pack of North Korean cigarettes and other belongings with Korean lettering.
Authorities are working to establish where the bodies found over the last week came from.
Japanese broadcaster NHK said the most recent boat, measuring about 7m (23ft) long, was found on a beach near Oga city. The vessel was missing a rotor blade and navigational devices.
Officials found the remains of eight people, some reduced to bones, while inspecting the boat.
The BBC's Celia Hatton says the appearance of “ghost ships” is thought to be a consequence of North Korea's attempts to satisfy widespread hunger by demanding huge quotas of seafood from fishermen.
Satoru Miyamoto, a professor at Seigakuin University and an expert on North Korea, told CNN the number of ships washing ashore on Japan's coast has risen since 2013.
“It's after Kim Jong Un decided to expand the fisheries industry as a way of increasing revenue for the military. They are using old boats manned by the military, by people who have no knowledge about fishing," Miyamoto said. "It will continue.”
Several North Korean fishermen rescued earlier this month by Japanese authorities “were also returned to the country, on their request, officials said, indicating that at least some of those washing up on their neighboring nation's shores are not attempting to flee there,” adds the broadcaster.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Miami Showband massacre, 50 years on
The Explainer Unanswered questions remain over Troubles terror attack that killed three members of one of Ireland's most popular music acts
-
Tea app hack: user data stolen from women's dating safety app
In The Spotlight Data leak has led to fears users could be targeted by men angered by the app's premise
-
The Assassin: action-packed caper is 'terrific fun'
The Week Recommends Keeley Hawes stars as a former hitwoman drawn out of retirement for 'one last job'
-
US and Japan strike trade deal
Speed Read Trump signed what he's calling the 'largest deal ever made'
-
Wonsan-Kalma: North Korea's new 'mammoth' beach resort
Under the Radar Pyongyang wants to boost tourism but there won't be many foreign visitors to Kim Jong Un's 'pet project'
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
North Korea's army of fake IT workers
The Explainer Using AI and stolen information to craft false identities, they are becoming an 'increasing menace' to top tech companies in the US and UK
-
A manga predicting a natural disaster is affecting tourism to Japan
Under the Radar The 1999 book originally warned of a disaster that would befall Japan in 2011 — a prophecy that came true
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Japan is opening up to immigration – but is it welcoming immigrants?
Under the Radar Plummeting birth rates and ageing population leaves closed-off country 'no choice' but to admit foreign workers, but tensions are growing with newly arrived Muslims
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago