Tokyo - The US Navy's special envoy asked Japan yesterday to accept an apology for the sinking of a Japanese trawler and said he would deliver a personal apology from President Bush.
Relations between the two allies have been strained by the February 9th tragedy that left nine missing and presumed dead, including four schoolboys, after the USS Greeneville surfaced suddenly, crashing into the Ehime Maru training trawler and sinking it within minutes.
"I sincerely and humbly request on behalf of the US government, the US Navy and the American people that the government and people of Japan accept our apology for the tragic loss of the Ehime Maru on February 9th," Admiral William J. Fallon said on his arrival in Tokyo.