Japan Ends Probe of US Ship Collision  07/24 06:13

   TOKYO (AP) -- Japanese authorities say they're wrapping up their 
investigation into last month's collision of a freighter and a U.S. naval 
destroyer without any verdict into what caused the accident, which left seven 
Navy sailors dead.

   The container ship and most of its crew were allowed to leave Japan and 
coast guard officials said they don't expect charges to be filed. A spokesman 
for the company that owns the freighter said Monday that the captain and some 
crew members had voluntarily stayed behind.

   The U.S. military holds the right to investigate its naval vessel and has 
not cooperated with Japan's investigation.

   Both U.S. and Japanese officials haven't said whether crew members from the 
USS Fitzgerald were thought to be responsible for the crash.


(KA)