Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat off Nagasaki, arrests skipper

FUKUOKA — Japanese authorities seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its skipper for allegedly defying an order to stop while within Japan's exclusive economic zone off Nagasaki Prefecture, the Fisheries Agency said early Friday.

The incident in the waters off southwestern Japan marks the first time since 2022 that the agency has seized a Chinese fishing boat, coming at a time when diplomatic relations between Japan and China have remained strained for months under the leadership of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Zheng Nianli, the 47-year-old Chinese skipper of the fishing boat, was arrested Thursday and stands accused of trying to evade an onboard inspection by a Japanese fisheries control officer about 170 kilometers southwest of the island of Meshima in Goto, Nagasaki.

According to the agency's regional office, the vessel had a crew of 11 and is described as a "tiger net fishing boat," usually known for catching fish such as mackerel and horse mackerel.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a regular press conference on Friday in Tokyo that while an investigation into the case continues, the Japanese government will act "resolutely" through enforcement activities to prevent and deter illegal operations by foreign fishing vessels.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the Chinese government requires the country's fishermen to operate in accordance with laws, while safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests.

"We hope that Japan will strictly abide by the China-Japan Fisheries Agreement, enforce the law impartially and protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese crew members," Lin said.

The Chinese fishing boat is also the first foreign fishing boat seized by the Japanese Fisheries Agency this year.

The agency conducts onboard inspections and other operations to combat illegal fishing in Japanese waters. Last year, it seized two foreign fishing vessels -- one Taiwanese and one South Korean.

According to its annual report, in 2024 the agency conducted seven onboard inspections, seized a Taiwanese fishing boat and confiscated illegal fishing gear in 18 cases.

© KYODO