Japan seized a China-flagged fishing vessel on 12 February, claiming the captain attempted to evade inspection while traversing the nation’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“On February 12th, a Fisheries Agency patrol vessel discovered a Chinese fishing boat in Japan's exclusive economic zone west of Yakushima and ordered it to stop so that fisheries inspectors could conduct an on-site inspection,” Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a social media post. “However, the vessel did not comply and fled, and the captain was arrested in accordance with Article 15-2, Paragraph 1 and Article 18 of the Act on the Exercise of Sovereign Rights Concerning Fisheries, etc. in the Exclusive Economic Zone.”
According to the Japanese government, no fish were discovered on the vessel.
When asked about the incident, China’s government asked the Japanese government to ensure the safety of the Chinese crew of the vessel.
“The Chinese government always asks Chinese fishermen to operate in accordance with laws and regulations,” China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said in a statement. “Meanwhile, China firmly protects their lawful rights and interests. China hopes that the Japanese side will strictly observe the China-Japan Fisheries Agreement, ensure impartial law enforcement and protect the safety of the Chinese crew and their lawful rights and interests.”
Japan reportedly released the vessel captain shortly after he was arrested following a request from the Chinese Consulate General.
This is the first Chinese fishing vessel seized by Japanese authorities since 2022 and comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations, which elevated after Takaichi suggested that Japan could intervene on behalf of Taiwan if China were to attack late last year. China retaliated by reimposing its ban on Japanese seafood exports – a ban that had only just been lifted.
The Chinese government claimed Japan had not provided necessary documentation for seafood exports, while further stating that “there would be no market” for Japanese seafood after Takaichi’s comments.
Despite the tensions with China, Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won a snap election in a landside victory earlier this month, securing a massive majority in the Japanese government.
