Prosecutors in the 'Atago' collision case are looking for two years jail without labour for two Maritime Self Defence Force (MSDF) officers accused of causing the fatal incident, reports Kyodo.
In 2008, the Aegis destroyer 'Atago' collided with the fishing vessel 'Seitoku Maru' resulting in two deaths. The prosecution claims the destroyer was kept on autopilot after one of the accused officers told the other that all fishing vessels in the area were stationary.
The defence pleaded not guilty in an August 2010 hearing, and claim that the incident was caused by the fishing vessel accelerating and turning from its course immediately prior to the collision. Both officers have been suspended from duty since being charged.