Japanese authorities seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its captain on Thursday about 170km from Nagasaki. The captain refused orders to stop for an inspection by a Japanese fisheries agency vessel. The boat, with 11 crew, was spotted inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. This is the first Chinese fishing boat seizure by Japan since 2022, and the first involving any foreign boat this year. The 47-year-old skipper was arrested on suspicion of trying to evade inspection. The Nikkei newspaper said the vessel was fishing for mackerel. The fisheries agency said, "The vessel’s captain was ordered to stop for an inspection by a fisheries inspector, but [it] failed to comply and fled. Consequently, the captain was arrested." Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Minoru Kihara, said on Friday, "We will continue to take resolute action in our enforcement activities to prevent and deter illegal fishing operations by foreign vessels." China’s foreign ministry has not yet commented. The incident comes during tense Japan-China relations, heightened by Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks on Taiwan. Takaichi said Japan might act militarily if China invades Taiwan. Beijing called for Chinese citizens to avoid travel to Japan, canceled cultural events, and delayed sending giant pandas after this. Japan and China also dispute the Senkaku islands, surrounded by rich fishing waters. Past incidents there have caused diplomatic conflicts. The islands are controlled by Japan but claimed by China as Diaoyu. Japan fears a Taiwan crisis could threaten its security. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out force. Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, warned China’s control of Taiwan would lead to aggression across the Indo-Pacific, affecting Japan and others. In response to Takaichi, China held joint military drills with Russia and locked radar on Japanese planes. Despite this, Takaichi said she remains "open to dialogue" with Beijing. China’s foreign ministry demanded Takaichi withdraw her "erroneous remarks about Taiwan" before talks could happen.