Japan's transportation ministry says a cruise manager of a tour boat operator was not in the office at the time of a fatal accident in Hokkaido, northern Japan, last month.

The "KAZU I," operated by Shiretoko Pleasure Cruiser, ran into trouble off the Shiretoko Peninsula during a sightseeing trip on April 23. The boat was later found on the seabed at a depth of about 120 meters.

It had been carrying 26 people. Fourteen have been confirmed dead. The rest are unaccounted for.

Ministry officials on Tuesday revealed the firm's lack of safety management at the second meeting of the accident investigation team of the Constitutional Democratic Party.

Company president Katsurada Seiichi, who is also the cruise manager, said earlier that he was not in the office at the time of the accident.

The officials said the boat's captain Toyoda Noriyuki was the only person named as an assistant cruise manager to handle operations if Katsurada was absent.

In a meeting with passengers' relatives, Katsurada said an employee in the office was able to help with cruise management virtually.

The officials said five people of the company were assistant cruise managers at the time of the ministry's special inspection last June, but that four of them, other than Toyoda, left the company in November.