The chairperson of Doshisha University announced an intention to resign following a boat accident that killed two students [1].

The resignation follows findings of significant negligence in safety management during a school training trip. The incident has raised critical questions about the duty of care owed to students during off-campus educational activities.

Speaking at a press conference in Osaka on July 31, the chairperson said, "I am deeply aware of the weight of my responsibility for this accident. It is my intention to resign from the position of chairperson" [2].

The tragedy occurred when two small boats capsized off the coast of Henoko in Nago City, Okinawa [3]. Two students died in the accident [1], while two other students were rescued with injuries [1]. The incident originally took place on March 31, 2026 [3].

An investigation by a third-party committee concluded that the school's failure to meet safety obligations was the primary cause of the disaster. Toru Watanabe, the chairperson of the third-party committee, said the violation of safety obligations was the main cause and that those involved should be dealt with strictly [3].

Government officials have also intervened in the aftermath of the tragedy. A representative from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology said the ministry has conducted an on-site investigation and is demanding the thorough implementation of measures to prevent a recurrence [4].

The resignation comes as the institution faces intense scrutiny over its oversight of student trips. While some reports from family members mentioned a single loss, primary news records confirm two students died [1].

“"I am deeply aware of the weight of my responsibility for this accident."”

The resignation of a top university official in Japan underscores a growing institutional intolerance for safety lapses during student excursions. By linking the chairperson's tenure directly to the findings of a third-party committee and the Ministry of Education, the case sets a precedent for administrative accountability in educational negligence cases.