Bereaved families and survivors gathered at the site of the 2012 Kan-Etsu Expressway bus accident in Gunma Prefecture to mark the 14th anniversary of the tragedy, which claimed seven lives and left 38 others injured.
In a solemn ceremony, relatives offered prayers and placed flowers at the memorial, remembering loved ones lost in one of Japan's deadliest highway bus crashes. The accident occurred when a tour bus collided with a guardrail and overturned on the expressway.
"This is an important opportunity to remember," said a family member, expressing gratitude for the chance to honor those who died. The event serves as a reminder of the need for continued road safety improvements.
Local officials and transportation authorities also attended, reaffirming commitments to prevent such disasters. The anniversary comes amid ongoing discussions about stricter regulations for long-distance bus operators.