Japanese officials have taken custody of a Chinese-registered fishing vessel and detained its captain after the boat allegedly evaded a lawful inspection inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, an episode that risks sharpening already strained relations between the region’s two largest economies.
According to Japan’s fisheries authorities, the 47-year-old captain, a Chinese citizen, failed to comply with orders to halt for an onboard check on Thursday while operating in waters near southwest Nagasaki Prefecture, reports Reuters.
Ten other individuals were aboard the vessel at the time.
Although Japan has previously confiscated fishing boats from South Korea and Taiwan, officials noted that this marks the first case involving a Chinese vessel since 2022.
The move comes amid a broader diplomatic rift between Japan and China.
Speaking at a routine press briefing on Friday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said, “We will continue to take resolute action in our enforcement activities to prevent and deter illegal fishing operations by foreign vessels,”.
China’s foreign ministry had not issued a response to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
