Japan Quietly Tells Fishermen to Avoid Disputed Islands as China Tensions Rise

Post by : Saif

Japan has taken a cautious step in the East China Sea by quietly asking its fishermen to stay away from waters near the disputed Senkaku islands. The move shows growing concern in Tokyo that even a small incident at sea could turn into a serious conflict with China.

The Senkaku islands, called Diaoyu islands by China, are controlled by Japan but claimed by Beijing. The uninhabited islands have long been a sensitive issue between the two countries. For many years, Japanese fishermen regularly sailed near the islands. Their presence was seen by some as proof of Japan’s control over the area and a way to protect national interests.

One of those fishermen is Hitoshi Nakama, a 76-year-old from Ishigaki, a nearby island in southern Japan. Nakama has spent decades fishing in the waters around the disputed islands. He believes his work supports Japan’s claim and has often encountered Chinese coast guard ships during his trips.

But since late last year, the situation has changed. Nakama and others say Japanese officials have privately urged fishermen to avoid the islands. These requests were not made publicly, but they represent a clear shift in Japan’s approach. In the past, such fishing trips were quietly allowed, even though they carried risks.

This change comes as relations between Japan and China have worsened. Tensions increased in November after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spoke about how Japan might respond if China attacked Taiwan. China reacted strongly to the comments, and diplomatic ties became more strained. Around the same time, the United States also expressed concern about rising tensions in the region.

Japanese officials have avoided direct comments on the warnings to fishermen. The foreign ministry has said only that the islands are part of Japan’s territory and that Tokyo continues to protest Chinese activity through diplomatic channels.

The government now faces a difficult choice. Allowing fishermen to operate near the islands helps show Japan’s control, but it also increases the risk of clashes with Chinese coast guard ships. China has expanded its patrols in recent years and has taken a tougher approach in enforcing its maritime claims.

Some fishermen have already changed their plans. Another Ishigaki fisherman, Kazushi Kinjo, said officials contacted him before and during a planned trip last November, asking him to avoid the disputed waters. He later passed through the area but did not stop to fish.

In December, Nakama met Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama in Tokyo. During the meeting, she warned that small incidents could grow and lead to war. Although she did not directly tell him to stop fishing near the islands, Nakama said the message was clear.

Local leaders also understand the government’s concern. Ishigaki’s mayor has said that if a Japanese fisherman were detained or inspected by Chinese authorities, it could quickly become a major international issue.

China has accused Japanese nationalist groups of using fishing trips to provoke trouble. Beijing says disputes should be resolved through dialogue, but it continues to increase its coast guard presence in the region.

Past events show how dangerous the situation can be. In 2010, a collision between Chinese and Japanese vessels near the islands caused a major diplomatic crisis. Tensions rose again in 2012 when Japan nationalized several of the islands.

By asking fishermen to stay away, Japan hopes to prevent another crisis. However, some worry that stepping back could encourage China to press its claims more strongly. For now, the waters around the Senkaku islands remain calm but tense, with both sides aware that a single mistake could have serious consequences.

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