Japan confirms detention of a Chinese fishing boat and the arrest of its captain

SadaNews - Japanese authorities have detained a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its captain, according to the Tokyo Fisheries Agency's announcement on Friday, in a move likely to escalate tensions with Beijing.

The agency's statement said, "The captain of the boat was ordered to stop for a fishery inspection, but he did not comply with the order... As a result, the captain was arrested."

The agency added that the incident took place on Thursday within Japan's exclusive economic zone off Nagasaki Prefecture.

This is the first detention of a Chinese fishing boat by the Fisheries Agency since 2022, according to Kyodo News.

In November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takagi stated that Tokyo might intervene militarily if an attack occurs on Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.

This statement provoked anger in China and led to heightened tensions between Beijing and Tokyo.