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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP protests Russia's shooting and seizure of Japanese fishing boat

A Russian boarder patrol boat early on August 16 shot and seized a Japanese crab fishing boat in the disputed area near the Habomai islands in northern Japan. One of the four crewmembers was killed by the gunfire.

Japanese Communist Party Kami Tomoko, head of the JCP Dietmembers Group's agricultural and fishery taskforce, on the same day published the following statement of protest:

"The JCP severely protests against Russia's excessive reaction in taking a crewmember's life and seizing the fishing boat, and demands that Russia immediately return the body of the victim and release the rest of the crewmembers.

The JCP also strongly demands that the Japanese government work hard to rightly resolve the territorial dispute between Japan and Russia and to ensure the safety of fishing boats by adopting a firm diplomatic stance so such incidents in the area of sea surrounding the islands that are part of Hokkaido will never recur."

The Nemuro City Assembly on the same day also sent Russian Ambassador to Japan Alexander Losyukov a written statement in protest against the shooting of the fishing boat that is affiliated with a fisheries cooperative in the city.

The statement said, "For any reason, it is absolutely unacceptable to fire at an unarmed civilian fishing boat from a humanitarian standpoint. The city strongly protests against the taking of a citizen's precious life."

Foreign Minister Aso Taro on the same day summoned Russian charg_ d'affaires Mikhail Galuzin to the ministry and demanded an apology, punishments of officials in charge, and preventive measures. He also demanded that Russia hand over the body, set the three crewmembers free, and return the boat to Japan.
- Akahata, August 17, 2006