The families were escorted from customs to a waiting tour bus and quickly driven away.

Members of the Japanese consulate met the families but U.S. Navy personel were not at the airport.

A spokesman for the consulate says the Navy promised to pay for the families accomodations while they are here.

On Feb. 9 a nuclear submarine, the USS Greeneville rammed and sunk the Japanese fisheries training vessel, Ehime Maru.

A total of 26 high schoolers and crewmen were rescued but nine are still missing.

A Naval court of inquiry starts Monday to find out what happened. Cmdr. Scott Waddle, the skipper of the USS Greeneville, and his officers will be the focus it's fact finding panel.

Waddle has hired a civilian attorney and sources tell ABC News the sub's commander is trying to get immunity for his testimony during the inquiry. Waddle does not want what he says during the inquiry to be able to be used against him in a court of law.

Meanwhile, Navy salvage experts are reviewing data obtained by underwater submersibles to see if it's possible to raise the ehime maru.

Late Friday night the Coast guard stopped it's active search for the missing crew and high school students. Now the Navy will focus on the salvage operation.

Adm. William Fallon personally apologized to family members in Japan earlier this week and told them a report on salvage operations will be complete by March 12th.

Previous Stories:

• March 3, 2001: Sub Skipper Wants Immunity
• March 2, 2001: Ehime Maru School Students Graduate
• March 1, 2001: Waddle: 'Part Of Me Died' In Collision
• March 1, 2001: Carlisle, Donohue Among Sub Guests
• February 27, 2001: Japan: Bush Considering Salvage Of Sunken Ship
• February 26, 2001: Waddle Has 'Sincere Regret' About Collision
• February 25, 2001: Sub Investigation Could Widen
• February 22, 2001: Navy Court Of Inquiry Could Be Delayed
• February 20, 2001: Navy Likely To Raise Ehime Maru
• February 20, 2001: Sub Mishap Survivors Still Haunted
• February 19, 2001: Sucess Of Raising Ehime Maru 'Questionable'
• February 19, 2001: Robot Sub Hauled Out For Repairs
• February 19, 2001: Tennessee Town Supports Sub Crew
• February 16, 2001: Search Continues While NTSB Interviews Sub Crew
• February 15, 2001: Police Warn Of Sub Victim Fund Scam
• February 15, 2001: Japanese Outraged Over Sub Revelation
• February 15, 2001: Two Island Residents On Greeneville
• February 15, 2001: Help Identify The Civilians On The Sub
• February 14, 2001: Sub Captain Could Face Criminal Inquiry
• February 13, 2001: Ehime Maru Crew Describes Disaster
• February 12, 2001: Bush Offers Prayer For Sub Victims
• February 12, 2001: Latest On Submarine Crash Investigation
• February 12, 2001: NTSB Begins Sub Collision Probe
• February 11, 2001: Ehime Maru Captain Speaks
• February 11, 2001: Sub Commander Reassigned As Search Continues
• February 11, 2001: Sub Collided During Emergency Maneuver