An investigation has begun into the deaths of three seafarers on a timber carrier off Japan.
The Nikkei daily cited local authorities as saying the Filipino men aged between 26 and 59 died from asphyxiation on the 12,300-dwt Apollo Kita (built 2011) on Sunday.
The Toko Kaiun vessel was heading from Malaysia to Osaka.
The crew had reportedly been cleaning part of the ship when oxygen levels fell.
There were 17 crew on board in total, including a 71-year-old Japanese master.
