News Japan seized Chinese fishing vessel off Goto Islands

[thomas]

Japanese authorities seized a Chinese fishing boat and briefly detained its captain after the vessel allegedly ignored an order to stop for inspection inside Japan's exclusive economic zone off Nagasaki Prefecture, the Fisheries Agency said early Friday. The incident may heighten tensions in relations with Beijing. The incident took place on Thursday, about 170 kilometres southwest of Meshima Island in the Goto Islands. Fisheries officers tried to board the boat, but the captain did not stop and instead tried to leave the area. Officials then intercepted the vessel and arrested him. There were 11 people on board. The captain, a 47-year-old Chinese national named Zheng Nianli, was later released the same day after submitting documents guaranteeing payment of a deposit, a step sometimes used in maritime violations. As of Friday, China had not issued a public response.

It is the first time since 2022 that Japan's Fisheries Agency has seized a Chinese fishing vessel. The action comes during a period of already strained diplomatic relations, which may draw additional attention to the case beyond a routine enforcement matter.

Authorities and Japanese media have described the seized vessel as a "tiger net fishing boat" with a high capacity. "We will continue to take resolute action in our enforcement activities to prevent and deter illegal fishing operations by foreign vessels," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Friday.

Chinese fishing boat seized off southwestern Japan, skipper arrested

Japanese authorities seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its skipper for allegedly defying an order to stop while within Japan's exclusive economic zone off Nagasaki Prefecture, the Fisheries Agency said early Friday.

english.kyodonews.net

Japan says it seized Chinese vessel amid tensions with Beijing

The fishing boat tried to flee when ordered to stop for an inspection inside Japan's territorial waters, authorities say.

www.bbc.com

 

[thomas]

Japan's Fisheries Agency said late Friday that authorities had released the captain of a Chinese fishing boat only hours after detaining him for allegedly trying to avoid an inspection in Japanese waters. An agency official reported that the release followed the submission of a document by the Chinese government guaranteeing payment of bail. This step allowed the case to proceed without requiring continued custody. The vessel involved, identified as the Qiong Dong Yu 11998, had been briefly seized on Thursday afternoon after failing to obey an order to stop, according to Japanese officials. The captain, 47-year-old Zheng Nianli, was taken into custody and later freed the same day.

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Japan releases Chinese fishing boat captain amid bilateral tensions

Beijing guaranteed bail; vessel had allegedly attempted to evade inspection

asia.nikkei.com