Japan has discreetly asked some of its fishermen to stay away from the disputed Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, reflecting growing concern in Tokyo that even minor maritime incidents could spiral into a serious clash with China, according to a Reuters report. The move marks a notable change in approach after years in which Japanese authorities largely tolerated fishing trips that doubled as informal assertions of sovereignty over the uninhabited islets.
For decades, fishermen such as 76-year-old Hitoshi Nakama have sailed into the waters around the islands, known as Diaoyu in China, often maneuvering around Chinese coast guard vessels to harvest rich fishing grounds. Since late last year, however, Japanese officials have privately urged Nakama and others to steer clear of the area, several sources told Reuters. The requests began as relations with Beijing deteriorated, particularly after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made comments in November about how Japan might respond to a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
The timing has raised questions about whether the shift was influenced by pressure from the United States, Japan’s key security ally. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly asked Takaichi later in November not to further inflame tensions with China, though Reuters could not determine whether Washington’s intervention was directly linked to the appeals made to fishermen. Takaichi’s office and Japan’s foreign ministry declined to comment on the requests, while reiterating that the islands remain an inherent part of Japan’s territory.
The episode highlights a strategic dilemma for Tokyo. Fishing activity reinforces Japan’s administrative control of the islands, but it also increases the risk of confrontations with Chinese coast guard ships that patrol the area with growing frequency. According to more than a dozen people interviewed by Reuters, including fishermen, officials and security analysts, even a brief detention or inspection of a Japanese vessel by Chinese authorities could rapidly escalate into a diplomatic crisis.
Several fishermen described being contacted by officials shortly before planned voyages. One, Kazushi Kinjo, said he received multiple calls urging him to avoid the islands during a trip that began in late November, something he said had never happened before. Another request came through intermediaries who were told by coast guard officials that allowing a trip to proceed could be dangerous amid heightened tensions. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama later warned Nakama in a meeting that “small incidents can grow bigger and lead to war,” a remark he interpreted as a clear signal to stay away.
Japanese local officials echoed these concerns. Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama told Reuters that the central government appeared particularly worried about the risk of fishermen being detained by Chinese authorities, an incident that could quickly become an international flashpoint. China’s foreign ministry, for its part, accused right-wing Japanese activists of entering the waters under the guise of fishing to provoke trouble, and said maritime disputes should be handled through dialogue.
The stakes are high. The Senkaku/Diaoyu islands are covered by the U.S.-Japan security treaty, meaning any armed clash could draw in Washington. Chinese coast guard ships were present near the islands on a record 357 days last year, according to Japanese data, underscoring the intensity of the standoff. Analysts quoted by Reuters described the area as exceptionally tense, warning that it remains one of the most dangerous flashpoints in Asia.
Fishing around the islands has deep historical roots, but activity has dwindled sharply as tensions have risen. Government data cited by Reuters shows that only eight Japanese fishing trips were documented last year, down from 18 the year before and far below levels seen in earlier decades. While nationalist supporters argue that restoring fishing is vital to demonstrating sovereignty, experts caution that competing displays of control by Japan and China risk fueling escalation.
Despite the warnings, some fishermen say they intend to return. Kinjo described the waters as a vital source of income, while Nakama said he would continue sailing to the islands as long as he had his boat. For now, Tokyo appears to be walking a careful line, seeking to avoid confrontation while trying not to surrender ground in one of the region’s most volatile maritime disputes.
