TOKYO — Japanese authorities have seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its captain after he allegedly defied an order to stop for inspection in Japan’s exclusive maritime economic zone, a move that is likely to inflame an ongoing diplomatic row between Tokyo and Beijing.Japan’s Fisheries Agency said on Friday that the boat’s captain, a 47-year-old Chinese national, was arrested after “trying to evade an onboard inspection” in waters off Japan’s southwest Nagasaki Prefecture on Thursday, 89.4 nautical miles (165km) south-southwest of Meshima Island, according to the Kyodo News agency.”The vessel’s captain was ordered to stop for an inspection by a fisheries inspector, but the vessel failed to comply and fled,” the fisheries agency said.There were 11 people aboard, including the captain.Authorities and Japanese media have described the seized vessel as a “tiger net fishing boat” with a high capacity.”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 said on Friday.Thursday’s incident comes amid strained relations after Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi enraged China in November by suggesting Tokyo would intervene militarily if Beijing sought to take Taiwan by force.In response to Takaichi’s remarks, which China’s foreign ministry described as “egregious”, Beijing summoned Tokyo’s ambassador and warned its citizens to reconsider travel and study in Japan. — Agencies
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