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US Says Ties with Japan "Solid" Despite Boat Tragedy
The United States said on Monday that its ties with Japan will not suffer serious damage from the sinking of a Japanese trawler by a US attack nuclear submarine.
"These things have occurred from time to time, they're deeply regrettable and horribly tragic. But the trends in the long term in the overall relationship are very solid, very positive and will be improving," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters.
"One week has not changed a trend of history," he said, adding that the accident did not detract from the overall positive nature of the US-Japan relationship.
US nuclear submarine Greeneville sank the Japanese fishing trip off Hawaii on Friday, leaving nine people missing. Japan's press reacted to the incident with shock and complained that the US side did not act quickly enough for rescue operations.
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