Japan accuses US of negligence over sub collision

The Japanese Government suspects "grave negligence", by the crew of a US submarine, caused a Japanese fishing boat to sink near Hawaii.

The rising tension over the February 9 accident came after US investigators said the USS Greeneville spotted a ship in the area more than an hour before the collision off the coast of Hawaii.

Nine Japanese - including four high school students - are missing and presumed dead.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said: "The US submarine made a sudden surfacing despite the detection of a boat - that indicates grave negligence.

"We take it as a grave matter and we must take measures on our own."

Mr Fukuda said his Government looked forward to a full account of the causes of the accident in a Navy court of inquiry next Monday.

He said Tokyo would push for "strict disciplinary steps on the US side" if necessary.

Family members of the victims are demanding punishment of the crew and an apology from the sub commander directly to Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and US Ambassador Thomas Foley.

Evidence that a crewman, who was plotting sonar readings, distracted by civilian guests and halted his work also drew heated criticism in Japan.

A string of apologies has come from the US government, including President George W. Bush.