Tokyo releases captain of Chinese fishing boat found in Japanese EEZ

Japan has released the captain of a Chinese fishing boat that Tokyo says tried to flee an inspection while in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).Japan’s fisheries agency said the captain was released before 8pm on Friday after China submitted documents guaranteeing payment of bail, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday.The agency said the boat, the Qiong Dong Yu, was seized inside Japan’s EEZ off its southwestern Nagasaki Prefecture on Thursday. It was ordered to stop for an inspection “but the vessel failed to comply and fled”. The 47-year-old captain, Zheng Nianli, was arrested on the same day, the agency said.In its response, Beijing urged Tokyo to protect its crew members’ rights.“It is hoped the Japanese side will strictly abide by the China-Japan fisheries agreement, enforce the law impartially and ensure the safety as well as the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese crew members,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday.Lin added that the Chinese consulate general in Fukuoka was assisting the Chinese crew members in their return.