Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba indicated Friday he may resign after the investigation into the Feb. 19 collision involving the Aegis destroyer Atago and a trawler is wrapped up and preventive measures are established.
"Yes, there is that possibility," Ishiba told reporters Friday morning when asked if he would consider some action to take responsibility for the accident, in which the trawler Seitoku Maru was run over off Chiba Prefecture. The father-son crew were still missing Friday.
"Without the willingness (to take responsibility,) you cannot carry out the duties of a state minister," he said.