National Sep 17, 2019
North Korea claims Japanese ships 'made illegal intrusion' in August
North Korea said Tuesday a patrol boat and ships of the Japan Coast Guard "made illegal intrusion" into its exclusive economic zone late last month. The North's official Korean Central News Agency quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesperson as saying that the vessels were chased out ...
National Feb 3, 2019
Japanese crab boat seized by Russian authorities for allegedly fishing inside EEZ
Russian authorities have seized a Shimane Prefecture-based Japanese crab boat with 10 crew members in the Sea of Japan for allegedly fishing illegally in Russia's exclusive economic zone, prefectural officials said Saturday. The incident involving the Nishino Maru No. 68, owned by a company in ...
National / Politics Jun 1, 2018
Japan Coast Guard reinforces Sea of Japan fleet to ward off North Korean poachers
by Daisuke Kikuchi
The Japan Coast Guard has beefed up its patrol fleet near the Yamato Bank in the Sea of Japan to counter increasing numbers of North Korean fishing boats in Japan's exclusive economic zone, it announced Friday. The Yamato Bank is in the middle of the ...
National / Politics Jun 13, 2017
Japan warns Russia not to conduct survey in EEZ without permission
Tokyo has asked Russia not to conduct marine surveys or resource exploration within Japan's exclusive economic zone without permission, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday. On the morning of June 5, the Japan Coast Guard spotted a Russian vessel hanging what appeared to be a ...
National / Politics Apr 2, 2017
Taiwan seeks agreement with Japan on scientific research in disputed East China Sea waters
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said Sunday it is working to sign an agreement with Japan governing scientific research in disputed waters of the East China Sea. In a statement, the ministry said Taiwan and Japan agreed last year to establish a working group to discuss scientific ...
National / Politics Mar 9, 2017
North Korean missile splashdown closest so far to Japan's mainland, government says
by Reiji Yoshida
One of the missiles fired into the Sea of Japan on Monday landed about 200 km north of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture.
National Mar 6, 2017
Abe says latest North Korean missile launch represents 'new level of threat'
by Ayako Mie and Jesse Johnson
North Korea demonstrated its growing military capabilities with the launch of four ballistic missiles Monday, three of which fell into the Sea of Japan, in what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe characterized as "a new level of threat." Officials said the North fired the barrage at ...
National Oct 13, 2016
China brushes off Japan's protest over maritime gas exploration
China is brushing off a diplomatic protest by Japan over gas exploration in the East China Sea. "They are totally within the scope of China's sovereign rights and jurisdiction," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular news briefing Thursday, referring to the ongoing exploration ...
National / Politics Oct 11, 2016
Abe considering collecting North Korean missile debris in Japan's exclusive economic zone
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says his government is "seriously considering" collecting the debris of North Korean ballistic missiles that have fallen in waters near Japan.
Asia Pacific Aug 3, 2016
China must prepare for 'people's war at sea,' defense chief says
by Jesse Johnson
Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan has warned of maritime security threats and called for increased preparations for what he termed a "people's war at sea" as Beijing seeks to "safeguard sovereignty" after last month's international tribunal ruling rejected its historic claims to much of ...
National / Politics Apr 28, 2016
Taiwan moves to 'clarify' Okinotorishima stance in response to fishing boat seizure
Taipei is stepping up diplomatic efforts to clarify its position on Okinotorishima Island, the southernmost point of Japanese territory, after a Taiwanese fishing boat and its crew were detained by the Japan Coast Guard for fishing in adjacent waters. Tsai Ming-yaw, secretary-general of the Association ...