Chinese Coast Guard Harasses Japanese Fishing Boats Near Diaoyutai; Expert Says Aim is to Normalize Sovereignty Dispute
Footage obtained by Nippon TV shows Chinese coast guard vessels repeatedly approaching Japanese fishing boats near the Diaoyutai Islands (Senkaku Islands), broadcasting claims that the area is Chinese territorial waters. Japan Coast Guard patrol boats intervened to block them, leading to a standoff. Experts say China's long-term pressure aims to normalize the dispute, accustoming Japanese society to the situation. Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Wu Jau-shieh also released a map showing over 100 Chinese vessels deployed near the First Island Chain following the US-China summit.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 22:31
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(Central News Agency reporter Dai Yazhen, exclusive dispatch from Tokyo, 4th) As China accelerates its maritime expansion in Asia, footage obtained by Nippon Television (NTV) shows Chinese vessels repeatedly approaching Japanese fishing boats in the waters surrounding the Diaoyutai Islands (called Senkaku Islands in Japan). Japanese security experts point out that one of China's goals in maintaining pressure in these waters is to gradually accustom the outside world to this situation, thereby normalizing it.
The report indicates that Taiwan recently conducted military exercises simulating a Chinese invasion, and following last month's US-China summit, China's military activities around Taiwan and in the East China Sea have shown an increasing trend.
Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Wu Jau-shieh recently published a map on social media platform X, showing that according to Taiwan's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, China has deployed over 100 vessels around the First Island Chain in the past few days, with the timing immediately following the Beijing summit (meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping).
The report states that this post attracted attention, and the area of Chinese vessel activity also included waters around the Diaoyutai Islands, over which Japan claims sovereignty.
Hitoshi Nakama, a member of the Ishigaki City Council in Okinawa Prefecture and a fisherman, boarded the fishing boat "Shi" on the 25th of last month to head to the Diaoyutai Islands for fishing. Just before entering Japan's territorial waters, two Chinese Coast Guard vessels appeared and began tailing and monitoring him.
Nakama stated, "What surprised me the most was the radio broadcast. They kept saying 'This is Chinese territorial waters.'" He said the Chinese coast guard vessels followed them almost the entire way, attempting to interfere with the fishing operation.
At the same time, Japan Coast Guard patrol boats responsible for local security also appeared, positioning themselves between the Japanese fishing boat and the Chinese coast guard vessels to block the Chinese ships from approaching the fishing boat.
According to footage provided by Nakama, a Chinese coast guard vessel broadcast in Japanese via radio, stating, "Japanese fishing boat 'Shi', this is Chinese Coast Guard 1306. The Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islets are Chinese territory, and the 12 nautical miles surrounding them are Chinese territorial waters. Your vessel has entered waters under Chinese jurisdiction. Do not intrude into Chinese territorial waters," unilaterally claiming the area as Chinese territorial waters.
In response, a Japanese patrol boat immediately replied, "Chinese Coast Guard fleet, this is Japan Coast Guard patrol boat PL84. The Senkaku Islands are Japanese territory, and we cannot accept your claim."
The patrol boat continued, "Chinese Coast Guard fleet, your vessel is intruding into Japanese territorial waters. Your navigation does not conform to the principle of innocent passage. Please immediately leave Japanese territorial waters," repeatedly demanding the Chinese vessel's withdrawal.
When the fishing boat entered Japan's territorial waters near the Diaoyutai Islands to begin fishing operations, the Chinese coast guard vessel still attempted to approach. The Japanese patrol boat immediately warned the Chinese coast guard vessel not to approach the fishing boat or the patrol boat. The two sides engaged in a sharp confrontation via radio broadcasts.
Nakama said that many Okinawan fishermen now rarely go to the area for fishing due to safety concerns, but he believes, "If we don't go fishing, we can't protect the Senkakus. We must protect the fishing grounds and continue fishing. Fishermen cannot give up; we must go out to sea."
Bonji Obara, a senior research fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, a Japanese think tank, stated that while the Japan Coast Guard is currently able to effectively respond to Chinese coast guard activities, one of China's goals in maintaining long-term pressure in the relevant waters is to gradually accustom Japanese society to this normalized situation. He noted that this approach itself is a threat to Japan's territorial sovereignty. (Editor: Chen Chenggong) 1150604
The report indicates that Taiwan recently conducted military exercises simulating a Chinese invasion, and following last month's US-China summit, China's military activities around Taiwan and in the East China Sea have shown an increasing trend.
Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Wu Jau-shieh recently published a map on social media platform X, showing that according to Taiwan's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, China has deployed over 100 vessels around the First Island Chain in the past few days, with the timing immediately following the Beijing summit (meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping).
The report states that this post attracted attention, and the area of Chinese vessel activity also included waters around the Diaoyutai Islands, over which Japan claims sovereignty.
Hitoshi Nakama, a member of the Ishigaki City Council in Okinawa Prefecture and a fisherman, boarded the fishing boat "Shi" on the 25th of last month to head to the Diaoyutai Islands for fishing. Just before entering Japan's territorial waters, two Chinese Coast Guard vessels appeared and began tailing and monitoring him.
Nakama stated, "What surprised me the most was the radio broadcast. They kept saying 'This is Chinese territorial waters.'" He said the Chinese coast guard vessels followed them almost the entire way, attempting to interfere with the fishing operation.
At the same time, Japan Coast Guard patrol boats responsible for local security also appeared, positioning themselves between the Japanese fishing boat and the Chinese coast guard vessels to block the Chinese ships from approaching the fishing boat.
According to footage provided by Nakama, a Chinese coast guard vessel broadcast in Japanese via radio, stating, "Japanese fishing boat 'Shi', this is Chinese Coast Guard 1306. The Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islets are Chinese territory, and the 12 nautical miles surrounding them are Chinese territorial waters. Your vessel has entered waters under Chinese jurisdiction. Do not intrude into Chinese territorial waters," unilaterally claiming the area as Chinese territorial waters.
In response, a Japanese patrol boat immediately replied, "Chinese Coast Guard fleet, this is Japan Coast Guard patrol boat PL84. The Senkaku Islands are Japanese territory, and we cannot accept your claim."
The patrol boat continued, "Chinese Coast Guard fleet, your vessel is intruding into Japanese territorial waters. Your navigation does not conform to the principle of innocent passage. Please immediately leave Japanese territorial waters," repeatedly demanding the Chinese vessel's withdrawal.
When the fishing boat entered Japan's territorial waters near the Diaoyutai Islands to begin fishing operations, the Chinese coast guard vessel still attempted to approach. The Japanese patrol boat immediately warned the Chinese coast guard vessel not to approach the fishing boat or the patrol boat. The two sides engaged in a sharp confrontation via radio broadcasts.
Nakama said that many Okinawan fishermen now rarely go to the area for fishing due to safety concerns, but he believes, "If we don't go fishing, we can't protect the Senkakus. We must protect the fishing grounds and continue fishing. Fishermen cannot give up; we must go out to sea."
Bonji Obara, a senior research fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, a Japanese think tank, stated that while the Japan Coast Guard is currently able to effectively respond to Chinese coast guard activities, one of China's goals in maintaining long-term pressure in the relevant waters is to gradually accustom Japanese society to this normalized situation. He noted that this approach itself is a threat to Japan's territorial sovereignty. (Editor: Chen Chenggong) 1150604
FAQ
Who has sovereignty over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands?
Japan claims the Senkaku Islands as its territory, while China and Taiwan claim them as the Diaoyu Islands/Diaoyutai. Japan currently exercises effective control.
What activities do Chinese Coast Guard vessels conduct?
Chinese Coast Guard vessels repeatedly approach Japanese fishing boats near the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and broadcast claims that the waters are Chinese territorial waters.
How is the Japanese government responding?
The Japan Coast Guard dispatches patrol boats to position between Chinese vessels and fishing boats, issuing warnings and demanding withdrawal from what it considers its territorial waters.