Japan apologizes, offers compensation to Taiwan over boat sinking

Saturday 21st June, 06:14 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 33 Total Comments Show All

Rekishika at 06:31 PM JST - 21st June

Well, from what I've been told by now by contacts, it was the crew of the patrol vessel that brought the crew of the fishing boat in a position where the latter could not physically avoid collision anymore... This also fits into other experiences with authorities.

However, it takes moral courage to stand up and apologise. There can be many criticisms about both the incident and the belated apology, but I think a more positive way to view this is that the Japanese government, despite making mistakes just like any other government, is willing to learn from their mistakes.
Triple888 at 06:48 PM JST - 21st June

This behaviour makes Japan one of the most civilised country on Earth..not like China to Vietnam.

You still have that fantasy Japan mentality.
soothsayer at 07:37 PM JST - 21st June

mikihouse,

Go Fukuda san. You never made anything good for people living in Japan. You keep pushing for increase tax, reinstate road tax, cut the benefits for elderly, keeping the expensive taxes on foreign goods such that the prices of flour, milk, butter and necessary commodities are very high while the truth is almost half of it goes to taxes. And there you go giving billions of yen to Africa, and China while 30,000 or more people are commiting suicide in Japan because of economic reasons. Way to go.

With all due respect (not sure how much is needed exactly), your analysis of Fukuda's primeministership appears to have nothing whatsoever to do with two ships colliding. Next time, make sure you're on the right page, okay?
Terrikus at 09:05 PM JST - 21st June

Heh, Japan is the "bigger country" for apologizing for an accident it caused? Sounds like it was doing the right thing. I supposed Japan would be being the "bigger country" if it apologized for WWII atrocities too, eh?

Ha ha! Not long ago, it would only have been "Chinese agression" from the likes of you. But now, even Japan's "ally" in East Asia seems to be offended.

Yep. I think people are surprised it was Taiwan, of all places, that pushed this to the front. Hell, this was barely a blip in the Chinese press.
Kwaabish at 10:25 PM JST - 21st June

"Of course it is, and I guess you think the ramming and sinking of a foreign vessel is civilized and okay then?"

Not justifying that it would be OK if that was done as an intentional act and done maliciously. But in all likelihood, the matter was an accident. Even the coast guard vessel would be placing itself at some kind of risk by ramming a ship. If the coast guard ship wanted to inflict harm on the fishing vessel as the sole purpose, it would able to do so in a much more efficient manner, like opening fire on it (which the coast guard vessel seemingly did NOT do).
8iamhappy8 at 11:35 PM JST - 21st June

"If the coast guard ship wanted to inflict harm on the fishing vessel as the sole purpose, it would able to do so in a much more efficient manner, like opening fire on it"

Don't be an idiot. Opening fire in disputed territory will get you more trouble than it's worth. But ramming a ship, and claiming that it was an accident might soften things a bit.
8iamhappy8 at 11:52 PM JST - 21st June

Nevertheless, in the end, the thing was ressolved in a peaceful manner, which is a good thing.
romulus3 at 12:08 AM JST - 22nd June

8iamhappy8,

Don't be an idiot. Opening fire in disputed territory will get you more trouble than it's worth. But ramming a ship, and claiming that it was an accident might soften things a bit.

and here all along I thought that ramming and opening fire was your modus operandi...
8iamhappy8 at 12:11 AM JST - 22nd June

My modus operandi what? (?_?)
lipscombe at 02:35 AM JST - 22nd June

rjd jr, we should form a manzai duo. I'll be the straight man and hit you over the head whilst shouting insults everytime you do or say something silly. trust me, it'll be a big hit and this career has legs I foresee
Synth at 06:49 AM JST - 22nd June

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080611a3.html "The collision took place near Uotsuri Island, one of the uninhibited Senkaku Islands"

The accident took place clearly in japanese waters, The senkaku islands clearly belongs to japan. So i wonder what's more retarded doing your job or trying to be a martyr? Japan shouldn't be guilty of defending their own waters. The fisherman knew what they were going to get into. And i'm chinese.
DenshaDeGO at 07:19 AM JST - 22nd June

Did the SDF ever apologize and offer compensation for crashing into the fishing boat and killing those people a few months ago? If not that would be pretty ratty: quickly apologizing for this but not for killing its own citizens ...
yosun at 10:38 AM JST - 22nd June

"The accident took place clearly in japanese waters, The senkaku islands clearly belongs to japan. So i wonder what's more retarded doing your job or trying to be a martyr? Japan shouldn't be guilty of defending their own waters. The fisherman knew what they were going to get into. And i'm chinese." IT doesn't matter u are Chinese or Japanese or American...etc, this world is becoming quite like a neighborhood, things like war or conflict is out of date behavior! will u hurt a neighbor child when he happened to playing in the zone where you argue about limit with his father....
Synth at 11:32 AM JST - 22nd June

"IT doesn't matter u are Chinese or Japanese or American...etc, this world is becoming quite like a neighborhood, things like war or conflict is out of date behavior! will u hurt a neighbor child when he happened to playing in the zone where you argue about limit with his father...."

What the hell????
bushlover at 05:32 PM JST - 27th June

Sorry we thought you were "" Mainlanders ""!!