An unsettling incident occurred recently when a 78-year-old passenger from a Japanese ferry was reported missing. The disappearance was reported during the voyage, with immediate steps taken to search the ferry and sea. Authorities are still unclear about the circumstances of the elderly passenger's disappearance and investigations are ongoing, as the maritime safety norms of Japan, acclaimed for their efficiency, are put under the lens.

This occurrence has sparked concern among the general public. Japanese society values the elderly and their safety highly. Subsequently, maritime safety protocols, frequently lauded for their effectiveness, may undergo thorough revisions. Japan's robust public safety infrastructure, efficient law enforcement agencies, and intensive search and rescue operations indicate their unwavering commitment to resolving this matter.

Like in Japan, the EU and the US also prioritize the safety of their citizens, with rigorous protocols in place to deal with missing persons cases, particularly in instances involving vulnerable individuals like the elderly. Safety checks aboard ferries and subsequent investigative procedures would also be carried out swiftly and thoroughly, much like in Japan.