Japan chases 300 North Korean boats out of fishing grounds

"Is there a difference between Territorial Waters and EEZ?"

Yes, there is; however, don't have time to go into details right now.

This "crude" article may help shed some light on the subject.

"https://brilliantmaps.com/territorial-waters/"

Japan's EEZ amounts to roughly 4.5 million km².

Thanks extanker.

Is there a difference between Territorial Waters and EEZ?

Out of curiosity, what other countries have an EEZ?

From what I understand, pretty much any country that wants to enforce it. It's a UN designation that applies to waters around any nation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusive_economic_zone

"Why didn't the Coast Guard chase the hundreds of Chinese coral thiefs from the Ogasawara and Izu islands several years ago? Is it because Japan is afraid of China?"

There's your answer; somehow Japan doesn't seems that scared to me.

"The JCG arrested ship captain Chen Wen Ting, 40, on Saturday on suspicion of violating the Exercise of the Sovereign Right for Fishery Law, which deals with refusing to allow a boarding inspection.

The waters around the islands are home to rare “jewelry coral (see below).” Five years ago, the poaching of such coral by Chinese fishing boats in waters near the Ogasawaras emerged as a problem."

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/02/04/arrest-sparks-fears-of-resumption-of-coral-poaching-by-chinese-ships.html

I read an article that asserted that large Chinese factory ships have been decimating the coastal fishing areas of countries too poor to defend themselves, and that this has contributed to the rise in piracy around the world, because traditional fishing has been wiped out in these poor countries. The other countries of the world need to stay alert, or their fishing grounds will also be destroyed.

Why didn't the Coast Guard chase the hundreds of Chinese coral thiefs from the Ogasawara and Izu islands several years ago? Is it because Japan is afraid of China?

No, Japan is correct to deploy the Japan Coast Guard. This is common practice when a nation's EEZ or territorial water is economically violated.

Out of curiosity, what other countries have an EEZ?

If I Was North Koreans, I would keep sailing to south Korea and never go back, but probably, every boat has a communists enforcer.

If they don't go back the Fat Controller will execute their families.

It might also contribute to stopping the DPRK lobbing missiles over japan. Somebody has to comprise first.

Except that’s not compromising, it’s capitulating. It’s like if I said to you ‘I’ll stop punching you in the face if you give me your wallet’.

Perhaps Japan should compromise with the DPRK and strike a deal similar to the one they got with Palau. It might work in their favor for negotiating release of all those kidnapped Japanese citizens. It might also contribute to stopping the DPRK lobbing missiles over japan. Somebody has to comprise first.

Submarines need to be comeback!

North Koreas is an authoritarian country, with widespread human rights abuse (and potential crimes against humanity). The government of North Korea is not recognized by 4 countries, including Japan (the official line is that South Korea is the legitimate government of Korean peninsula). Therefore, those fishermen should be interviewed first, and asked whether they want to be sent back to NK, South Korea or claim asylum.

Hey Abe-kun - tell your fat friend in the White House to have a word with his fat friend in he boiler suit to put a stop to this.

You know, because you've carefully cultivated a position of such great influence, now would be a good time to use it.

YubaruToday  07:15 am JST

These are Japan Coast Guard vessels and what SHOULD be out there are the Maritime Self Defense Force ships, which are better equipped at detection and deterrent as well.

No, Japan is correct to deploy the Japan Coast Guard. This is common practice when a nation's EEZ or territorial water is economically violated. And as we saw from past incidents, if required, the JCG will return fire if attacked. If they were North Korean naval vessels then it would be a totally different story and the JMSDF should indeed by deployed.

If that is where the fish that are caught actually go, then I totally agree, however, none of these fishermen are out there without the permission of the NK government.

Don't fishermen in Japan also need a license and for their boats to be registered? In other words Japanese fishermen also need permission. They are also taxed on their catch when it's sold.

I'm surprised the coast guard doesn't sink the boats and gather the fishermen up. Scare them away today only to have them come back tomorrow.

I can't knock anyone for doing what they have to do to survive. There are millions of innocent North Koreans who are starving.

If that is where the fish that are caught actually go, then I totally agree, however, none of these fishermen are out there without the permission of the NK government.

It should read "abandon a fishing line after being sprayed with water"

I can't knock anyone for doing what they have to do to survive. There are millions of innocent North Koreans who are starving.

So poor NK fishermen have been caught 'stealing' a few fish from Japan's exclusive economic zone (4.48 mil sq km). But it's ok for Japanese fishermen with high tech, steel vessels to hunt whales, tuna and so on by the 100s of thousands of tons? Yes, I know it all depends on imaginary lines in the sea which governments have arbitrarily decided on and written down on bits of paper calling it legislation. But these guys bobbing around in sea-going shacks don't exactly pose much of a problem and it's their livelihood. As I see it the sea belongs to everyone and no one. I can imagine the politician's furrows of worry as they protect the nation's EEZ. I think I arrived on the wrong planet.

Japan is doing the right thing here. Arresting the crews and properly destroying the boats would be time consuming and costly. Just turn them back. As much as I am not a fan of North Korea in general, these tiny boats are the livelihood for many people in a country that is starving to death. Destroying them would serve no purpose.

Japan shouldn't play whack-a-mole. They should arrest the crews and prevent the boats from being used again. Then return the crews to NK.

 I hear that detecting small wooden boats using Radar is quite difficult. Small boats, of course, could be effective, but only if they immediately used force.

Todays surveillance technologies will not hide a wooden boat. But these vessels might used to see Japanese surveillance tech for other uses.

Good.

Let Rocketman know what time it is.

I agree that using RHIBs would be more efficient, but probably less threatening to the fisherman. What's going to get you to leave faster? A handful of guys in a speedboat yelling at you or a Coast Guard ship firing a water cannon? Not to mention, it's probably safer for everyone to have the separation of the large ship between the fisherman and the Coast Guard. If they used small boats to intercept, the odds of having to go hands-on with the fisherman goes way up.

Agreed. (BTW: Hilarious work over in the HK thread. Akie wasn't sure what hit her.)

It seems to me that the fast boats could be armed and maintain its distance, but that only reduces the risks you mentioned. The ship is the safest way.

These are Japan Coast Guard vessels and what SHOULD be out there are the Maritime Self Defense Force ships, which are better equipped at detection and deterrent as well.

I wonder what percentage of incursions are actually detected and forced out? I hear that detecting small wooden boats using Radar is quite difficult. Small boats, of course, could be effective, but only if they immediately used force. If Japan were to announce that starting after a certain date, all illegal fishing vessels would be sunk, and then actually do it, might prove effective. That would probably reduce the number of incursions. What does China do when they catch illegal fishing?

If I Was North Koreans, I would keep sailing to south Korea and never go back, but probably, every boat has a communists enforcer.

Who knows, perhaps they are operated by the North's Navy.

Japan needs fast boats for this task. Launch from mother ship so it can stay the course. Sending that many tons after a rowboat is a bit much.

I agree that using RHIBs would be more efficient, but probably less threatening to the fisherman. What's going to get you to leave faster? A handful of guys in a speedboat yelling at you or a Coast Guard ship firing a water cannon? Not to mention, it's probably safer for everyone to have the separation of the large ship between the fisherman and the Coast Guard. If they used small boats to intercept, the odds of having to go hands-on with the fisherman goes way up.

Japan needs fast boats for this task. Launch from mother ship so it can stay the course. Sending that many tons after a rowboat is a bit much.