"The Russian side claims that the fishing by the Japanese vessel was carried out in the Russian exclusive economic zone. The Japanese side insists that the fishery was in the Japanese exclusive economic zone. We believe that the actions of the Russian side are unacceptable, in connection with which a protest was lodged through diplomatic channels in Moscow, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Tokyo", - said Katsunobu Kato, Secretary General of the Japanese Cabinet of Ministers.
He stressed that Japan is demanding the release of the ship and all fishermen on board. At the same time, the secretary general specified that the crew had no health problems, and they were provided with drinking water and food.
Let us remind you that Eikhomaru-172 was detained at the end of May for illegal fishing in the Russian economic zone in the Sea of Okhotsk. The border department of the FSB in the Sakhalin region noted that the crew did not fulfill the requirements to stop and tried to escape.
The border guards indicated that during the pursuit, the vessel made dangerous maneuvers, which threatened to collide with the escort ship. The border guards had to fire warning shots, after which the schooner drifted. On board they found a live crab, boiled-frozen crab products, fishing equipment. After being detained, the Japanese schooner was taken to the Sakhalin port of Korsakovo to conduct further proceedings.