Japan releases arrested Chinese fishing boat captain – mediaThe Japanese flag flies at half mast at the Japanese embassy in Beijing on September 19, 2024. TOKYO – Japan released a Chinese fishing boat captain on Friday night, one day after his arrest, local media reported. Japan’s fisheries agency seized the boat, later saying the captain had refused to comply with an order to stop for an inspection. In response, Beijing summoned Tokyo’s ambassador, warned Chinese citizens against visiting Japan and conducted joint air drills with Russia. The 2010 arrest of another Chinese fishing boat captain off those islands in the East China Sea became a major diplomatic incident.

Source: Philippine Star February 14, 2026 16:00 UTC