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Updated Thursday, September 17, 2009 9:34 am TWN, The China Post news staff

Foreign ministry asks Japan to release seized boat

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The foreign ministry yesterday lodged a formal protest with Japan after a Taiwanese fishing boat was seized by Japanese maritime patrol authorities near the Tiaoyutai islands, the foreign minister said. The minister, Timothy Yang, said Taipei had lodged the protest via its representative office in Japan and Tokyo's counterpart in Taiwan.

Taipei demanded that Tokyo release the fishing boat and its crew, and look into the cause of the incident, Yang said.

The incident has demonstrated the need for both sides to start fishing talks as soon as possible, the minister said.

The Danshui-based Formosa Chieftain No. 2 was intercepted by Japan's patrol vessels near the Tiaoyutai on Sunday.

It was finally seized on Monday after a 14-hour standoff that also involved Taiwan's coast guard boats trying to come to the Formosa Chieftain's rescue.

The islands are claimed by Taiwan, China and Japan, and they are called the Diaoyutais in China, and the Senkakus in Japan.

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