Irresponsible behavior encourages fishermen to act as they wish.
If they end up thinking that they have the government’s support in breaking the law, then Taiwan’s relations with Japan could deteriorate
Finally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Coast Guard Administration should be informed that it is unacceptable for Japan to seize vessels and crew and that this conduct challenges Taiwan’s territorial claims.
Allowing Japan to have a free hand would make an already difficult situation even more difficult.
Chiang Huang-chih is an associate professor at National Taiwan University’s College of Law.
TRANSLATED BY PERRY SVENSSON
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