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THE Japanese authorities have released two Chinese trawler skippers after they were arrested for alleged illegal fishing on Friday.
This was the second fishing related flare-up between the two countries in just over a month. This time the vessels were not escorted into port, but negotiations were held while they were under detention at sea. According to Japanese sources, the skippers admitted illegal fishing
This latest incident took place in disputed fishing grounds off the northern coast of Ishikawa prefecture state in what is called The Japan Sea.
The arrests highlight growing the growing hostility over fishing in South East and northern Asia. There have been similar fishing related clashes between China and Vietnam recently.
At the beginning of July China demanded that Japan should immediately withdraw its fishing boats from the waters around the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.
Around 10 trawlers belonging to a fishing co-operative left its local port to operate in the waters of the uninhabited Diaoyo Islands which are called Senkaku by the Japanese.This led to an immediate protest by China and the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said: "We have lodged solemn representation with the Japanese side."
Japan is becoming increasingly worried by China's growing naval strength, and fears that it may use it enforce what it sees as its rightful fishing territory. International observers believe that fishing is being used as a cover to claim the rich under sea oil resources in that part of the world.
Yesterday the China Daily newspaper questioned why was Japan sounding the "China Alarm" again? It accused Japan of"maliciously" using the dispute to increase its own defence forces.
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