Additional Coverage:
- Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat and arrests skipper (nbcnews.com)
Japanese Authorities Apprehend Chinese Fishing Vessel, Escalating Regional Tensions
TOKYO – Japanese authorities have taken a Chinese fishing boat into custody and arrested its captain following an alleged evasion of inspection within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. This incident threatens to further strain relations between Asia’s two leading economies.
The captain, identified as a 47-year-old Chinese national, stands accused of disregarding orders to halt for an on-board inspection on Thursday in waters situated off Japan’s southwest Nagasaki prefecture, according to the Japanese fisheries agency. At the time of the incident, an additional ten individuals were reportedly aboard the vessel.
While Japan has previously seized fishing vessels from South Korea and Taiwan in recent years, this marks the first such incident involving a Chinese vessel since 2022. It unfolds amidst an ongoing and significant diplomatic disagreement between the two nations.
“We will continue to take resolute action in our enforcement activities to prevent and deter illegal fishing operations by foreign vessels,” stated Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara during a regular news conference on Friday.
China’s foreign ministry has yet to issue a response to inquiries regarding the incident.
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- Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat and arrests skipper (nbcnews.com)