Detention of Chinese fishing boat captain extended to Sept 29

Is it justified? No. Is Japan expecting some concessions from China? perhaps yes.

It's really a wrong move of Japan. No political wise.

It's funny how they can just DECIDE to extend a person's detention without any kind of trial or anything. Not a smart move, in any case.

You can bet that judge and those prosecutors have LDP political leanings.

You can bet the captain can get freedom within 3 days if he refuse to eat food/water from now on. This guy should get tougher!

Completely blown out of proportions by those Chinese hicks. It was just a provocation, nothing more and nothing less. These Chinese 'fishy" boats do something similar against US navy vessels, throwing old nets and ropes into the propellers. So yeah, toughen up. Next time shoot at these clowns.

desmo, until 'next time', calling them hicks and clowns is sure to win them over.

what is this supposed to achieve exactly?　

yourock, it seems the Chinese are testing Japan's resolve.

Or is it vice-versa?

@dsmose: How smart modern city guy you are! Why nobody recommend you to be Chief of MSDF? Thenceforth, Japan doesn't need the US Navy to protect, you just get some old nets and ropes prepared to win over war and save taxpayers' money!

If the Britain-Argentina stoush in 1982 was like two bald men fighting over a comb, this rock fight is akin to a showdown between two testosterone charged baseball players loaded up on performance enhancing steroids; their perennial bloated trade surpluses with the US.

smithinjapan at 09:28 PM JST - 19th September: "It's funny how they can just DECIDE to extend a person's detention without any kind of trial or anything."

If you knew anything about the Japanese legal system you would know that this is fairly standard procedure even for Japanese Nationals but more so for Foreign National that may be viewed as a flight risk, nothing sinister going on here just standard procedures.

limboinjapan: "...may be viewed as a flight risk.."

A flight risk? The guy was caught in international waters and BROUGHT to Japan and detained. Letting the guy go after detaining him for such a long time without charges wouldn't mean he's 'flying away' from anything, nor do I have any idea how he'd get to where he wanted to go.

Well, according to the BBC, China has suspended top level ties & dialogue with Japan.

Part of me thinks that this is just a gross over-reaction from a country that is so used to getting its own way (most of the time) in international negotiations not being able to get its head round something they can't - or shouldn't be able to - influence.

smithinjapan at 12:36 AM JST - 20th September limboinjapan: "...may be viewed as a flight risk.." A flight risk? The guy was caught in international waters and BROUGHT to >Japan and detained

International waters? He was fishing in Japanese waters and rammed 2 JCG vessels. He is being prosecuted under the correct jurisdiction- Japanese law.

It's funny how they can just DECIDE to extend a person's detention without any kind of trial or anything

smith, plenty of countries have a process where the initial detention period can be extended. Otherwise you'd have to choose between potentially hamstringing an investigation by having a short maximum detention, or giving too much power to the prosecutors by allowing them to detain whoever they liked for ages without automatic review.

I'm now thinking what will happen if, and it's a BIG if, the captain is found guilty in a japanese court and given time. I've no idea what the Chinese government will do thereafter. Let's hope cool heads prevail, and a slap on the waist, a fine, and a don't do it again warning are dealt.

@smithinjapan;

Lest see if this were the other way around and it was a Japanese captain held in China, I would say it would go like this 1 day investigation 1 day (actually maybe 2 hours??) trial conviction and Jail. (Defense lawyer optional and if there is one don't forget he is a loyal member of the CP)

I feel it is somewhat ironic that China should feel that it's territorial integrity is being threatened, when many of its outermost regions rather feel the same way. China, having become the economic superpower it is, also wishes to become a military superpower; this would require a strong and capable navy, so the PRC will see this as excellent propaganda to that end. It would fail to surprise me if it were the case that the PRC orchestrated this incident for that purpose.

It will be interesting to see if the Japanese eventually give a custodial sentence to this Chinese Captain for (allegwdly) ramming a Japanese ship in Japanese waters. They have not charged him with anything, but are holding him under Japan's draconian laws. They gave - and suspended - a custodial sentence to the Kiwi bloke for doing a similar thing - along with other charges - in non-Japanese waters. Will the Japanese have the b@lls to mess with the big boys of the region - China? My money says absolutely NOT!

BTW - I have little doubt this whole thing has been stage-managed by China. The privileged egomaniacs that control the country there seem to enjoy flexing their muscles over Japan every year or so - and no doubt expect the Japanese Govt. to release the captain and retreat from the issue with their tail between their legs. Interesting little incident in any case.

BurakuminDes, they've already allowed the detention period to be extended. If they were running scared they would have released him days ago. It rather suggests that actually they're willing to stand up to China - or simply ignore it and allow the law to be applied.

At least for the next 15 months, great caution needs to be applied when international relations are concerned. Example: a closet fascist Japanese could hire a Japanese fishing crew whose Capt. is heavily in gambling debt to go to the coast of the PRC, and intentionally ram ships to cause an international incident. The PRC Govt. would have to prosecute, the Japanese Govt. would have to defend the fishing crew. The fascist cashes in on stock/currency volatility, the Capt. has his gambling debt forgiven and given some cash. For very little money, international incidents can be implemented. Third party manipulations is more common than suspected.

In her willingness to go eyeball to eyeball with the Chinese, the Japanese are taking a calculated risk that the Chinese, for all their bluster, will back off before things escalate out of control. The patriotic game the Chinese elites are engaging in to legitimise their ascendancy could all come unstuck if the West decides to close ranks behind Japan.

Well a conflict with China would mean an end to all of those cheap shoddy Chinese products on our shelfs. The Oji-sans would have to increase production within Japan to make up the loss.

smithinjapan do you know anything about Japanese law? Because that's not just common in Japan, it's common in a lot of countries as others have pointed out. Not that it's a good system or right, but don't act like you're surprised or that this is something unusual happening for this case.