UPDATE 1-Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat, arrests skipper

​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.

​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. The captain, a 47-year-old Chinese national, is ‌accused of ignoring orders to stop for an on-board inspection ‌on Thursday in waters off southwest Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan's fisheries agency said.

There were a further 10 people on board at the time, the agency ⁠said. 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.

China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond ⁠to ⁠a request for comment.