Japan asks China to cover damage to patrol boats
Japan asked China to pay for damage to Japanese patrol boats hit by a Chinese fishing vessel near disputed islands, as simmering tensions between the two Asian neighbors showed no signs of easing yesterday.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku's remarks came a day after Japan's prime minister rejected China's demand that Tokyo apologize and offer compensation for the arrest of the Chinese boat captain earlier this month near islands claimed by both countries.
The incident has strained bilateral ties to their worst point in years and is starting to impact trade. The captain was released Friday and has since returned to China, but the diplomatic back-and-forth since then indicates nationalistic sentiments remain high.
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