Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat, arrests skipperThis handout photo taken on Thursday from Japan's Fisheries Agency shows Fisheries Enforcement Headquarters' fisheries patrol vessel "Hakuo Maru", left, and a Chinese fishing vessel sailing within Japan's exclusive economic zone off Nagasaki Prefecture. (Photo: Handout)TOKYO — Japanese authorities ​have seized a Chinese ‌fishing boat and arrested its captain for allegedly fleeing inspection in its exclusive economic zone, an incident that could further inflame ​tensions ⁠between Asia's top two economies. While Japan has seized fishing vessels from South Korea and Taiwan ​in recent years, the incident is the first involving a vessel from China ​since ‌2022 and comes against the backdrop of a major diplomatic dispute between ​the ⁠countries. "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 told a ⁠regular press conference on Friday. In 2024, the agency conducted seven on-board inspections, seized a Taiwanese fishing boat and had 18 cases in which illegal fishing gear was confiscated, according to its annual report.

Source: Bangkok Post February 13, 2026 06:41 UTC