This was reported on the NHK news during the baseball yesterday morning

http://makeashorterlink.com/?I67A21EA4

Happened just down the road from me - it turns out that some nearby
Australian rafting instructors were the first to jump in the river to help
the students - none of whom were wearing life-jackets!  Yet another
remarkable way Japan tries to kill off its youth!

Thank god the accident happened to out-of-town Junior High students.  In
this city the 'river boat trip' (funakudari) is for Grade 4 Elementary
students.

The "school trip to climb a  mountain" (tozan) season is upon us - wonder
how many kids will end up in hospital this year.

jonathan