Japan’s Fisheries Agency arrested the captain of a Chinese fishing boat on Thursday for ignoring a stop order by inspectors in Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The vessel was seized 89.4 nautical miles south-southwest of Meshima Island near Nagasaki Prefecture. The 47-year-old Chinese captain was accused of "trying to evade an onboard inspection," the agency said. There were 10 other people on the boat. The agency stated, "The vessel’s captain was ordered to stop for an inspection by a fisheries inspector, but the vessel failed to comply and fled. Consequently, the vessel’s captain was arrested on the same day." NHK broadcaster added the boat could catch large quantities of fish such as mackerel and horse mackerel. Officials suspect it may have been illegally fishing within Japan's EEZ but have not revealed if the captain confessed, saying it could affect the investigation. China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment. Tensions between Japan and China remain high after disputes over territory and Japan’s comments on Taiwan, which angered Beijing in late 2023. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said, "Japan will continue to take resolute action in our enforcement activities to prevent and deter illegal fishing operations by foreign vessels." This incident is the first involving a Chinese vessel since 2022 and follows previous seizures of South Korean and Taiwanese fishing boats by Japan.