Tokyo: Japan has quietly asked its fishermen to stay away from waters near the disputed islands in the East China Sea as tensions with China continue to rise. The request is aimed at preventing accidental confrontations between fishing boats and Chinese coast guard vessels.
The islands, known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan and Diaoyu Islands in China, are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan. They lie in waters rich in fish and close to important shipping routes, making them sensitive and strategic.
Japanese officials have not made a public announcement but have advised fishing cooperatives to avoid the area for safety reasons. In the past, fishing near the islands was sometimes encouraged as a way to show Japan’s control. Now, the government fears that even a small incident at sea could quickly turn into a diplomatic or security crisis.
Data from the Japanese coast guard shows that Chinese vessels have been appearing frequently around the islands. This has increased concerns in Tokyo that encounters between fishermen and Chinese patrol ships could lead to dangerous situations.
Some fishermen say the waters are important for their livelihoods and feel strongly about their right to fish there. However, many also understand the risks involved as tensions between the two countries remain high.
Relations between Japan and China have been strained by wider regional issues, including differences over Taiwan and military activities in nearby seas. Both countries have accused each other in the past of unsafe actions around the disputed islands.
By asking fishermen to keep their distance, Japan hopes to lower the chance of incidents and avoid further damage to already fragile ties with China, while continuing to monitor the area through its coast guard patrols.