Chinese vessel detained in Japan’s exclusive economic zone

The detention of a Chinese fishing vessel in Japan's exclusive economic zone and the arrest of its captain have put Japan-China relations in a new state of tension. The vessel was detained for trying to escape from an inspection order off the coast of Nagasaki, Japanese authorities said. The British media outlet BBC reported this information.

There were a total of 11 people on board the vessel, including the 47-year-old Chinese captain, who was arrested. The vessel has been identified by Japanese authorities and media as a high-capacity fishing vessel called the 'Tiger Net'.

The Japanese Fisheries Agency said the vessel was detained on Thursday for trying to escape from an inspection order and was arrested. The agency also said that a fisheries inspector ordered the vessel to stop, but it ignored the order and tried to escape, and the vessel was later detained. This is the first incident since 2022, when Japan detained a Chinese fishing vessel. China has not yet made an official response to the incident. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Friday that tough measures against illegal fishing by foreign vessels would continue.

The incident comes at a time when relations between Japan and China are already at a high point. Last November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that Japan could intervene militarily if China tried to seize Taiwan by force, prompting a strong Chinese response.

The political tension has also affected the economies of both countries. Shares in Japan's tourism and retail sectors have fallen as Chinese tourists have fallen. As diplomatic relations have deteriorated further, China has repeatedly called on Takaichi to retract his comments by the end of 2025 and warned Japan not to "play with fire."

Meanwhile, several concerts by Japanese artists touring China have been canceled, the release of popular Japanese films has been postponed, and two Japanese pandas were returned to China last month.