Ireland

Search for missing Japanese tourists continues

Eiji Takagi (63) and Ushio Azaki (61) have not been seen since the weekend
Eiji Takagi (63) and Ushio Azaki (61) have not been seen since the weekend Eiji Takagi (63) and Ushio Azaki (61) have not been seen since the weekend

A SEARCH has resumed in Co Clare for two Japanese tourists who have not been seen since the weekend.

A car, thought to have been hired by couple Eiji Takagi (63), who has joint American and Japanese nationalisty, and Ushio Azaki (61), was found at Byrnes Cove in Kilkee, on Tuesday.

They checked out of their hotel accommodation in Spanish Point in Co Clare on Saturday morning and it is believed they parked their car at Georges Head car park in Kilkee shortly after 9pm on Saturday.

The pair had arrived in Irelanad of August 18 and had hired a car at Shannon Airport.

They were due to take a flight from Shannon Airport on Monday via Heathrow Airport for onward connection to Tokyo, Japan but failed to show up for this flight.

An Garda Síochána and the Irish Coast Guard are coordinating the search. Authorities have also been in contact with the Embassy of Japan in Dublin.

Gardaí have also appealed to anyone with information in relation to the whereabouts of the couple, or to any person who may have seen their car, a red Hyundai 151-D-23003, to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 065 908 0550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.