Japan's Coast Guard arrests Chinese fishing boat captain

Japan's Coast Guard arrested the captain of a Chinese coral fishing boat early Tuesday off southwestern Okinawa Prefecture, claiming the ship was suspected of illegally operating in "Japan's exclusive economic zone," local media reported.

The captain allegedly operated without permission in Japan's exclusive economic zone waters about 42 km east-northeast of Miyako Island, Okinawa, around 7:10 a.m. Tuesday morning, Kyodo news reported, citing the Japan Coast Guard's message.

It said, a coast guard patrol vessel observed the boat hauling up coral in nets. Besides the captain, there are 11 other crewmembers on the ship, both Chinese nationals.

Chinese coral fishing boat captains were also arrested in February and March for illegally operating in the same water area.