Largest Japanese ferry company files for bankruptcy

[Prophet of the Way]

The Higashi Nihon Ferry Company (HQ Hokkaido, Japan) has filed for bankruptcy on
June 29. No reports of service disruptions in the Japanese media as of this
writing (July 2nd). The company is in the process of drawing a renovation plan
under supervision. Their web site posts a short apology:
http://www.higashinihon-ferry.co.jp/ (Japanese text)

This company provides channel crossings between Honshu and Hokkaido.

Hakodate - Aomori
Hakodate - Ohma (north tip of peninsula)
Tomakomai - Hachinohe / O-arai (near Tokyo)
Muroran - Hachinohe/Sendai/Naoetsu

Naoetsu - Hakata (subsidiary Kyuestu Line)

Route map: http://www.higashinihon-ferry.co.jp/DAIA1.html

Ferry company officials have not yet stated anything on route reorganization
plans.

Japanese TV news says overzealous expansion in fleet and hotels and a slow
economy claimed the company.