Japan Seizes Chinese Fishing Vessel Near Nagasaki After It Fails to Comply with Inspection Order

Tokyo. Japanese authorities have seized a Chinese fishing vessel that was attempting to flee from Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near Nagasaki Prefecture, officials stated. Japan indicated that the vessel was brought under control because it disregarded an order to stop for inspection and attempted to escape.

According to the Japan Fisheries Agency, the 47-year-old Chinese captain of the vessel was arrested. There were 11 people aboard the ship. The seized vessel is reported to be a large-capacity tiger net fishing boat.

This marks the first time Japan has seized a Chinese fishing vessel since 2022. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, stated that strict measures to prevent illegal fishing activities by foreign vessels will continue.

This incident is expected to further escalate the already heightened diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. China had strongly objected after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signaled in November that Japan might intervene militarily if China used force against Taiwan.

Since then, relations between the two countries have cooled, resulting in a decrease in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan and affecting cultural exchanges.