Russia detains Japanese whaling research vessel

what's at stake? nothing, just few million yen in fine.

Oh this is gonna be goooooood! Unlike Sea Shepherd, Putin is no stranger to using violence to enforce. Time those whalers learnt a lesson.

Seeing as Russia actually imposed retaliatory sanctions against Japan yesterday with a list of Japanese who are not allowed to enter Russia, I wonder if the ship will ever be released. Just remember what happened to the superbowl ring Putin took a few years ago.

Have mixed feelings about this while it entered Russian waters without permission does this mean all Japanese ships need permission or was because it was conducting whale research? If permission is required for all Japanese ships will Japan enforce this against Russian ships entering Japanese waters?

MagnetAug. 23, 2014 - 07:43AM JST Oh this is gonna be goooooood! Unlike Sea Shepherd, Putin is no stranger to using violence to enforce. Time those >whalers learnt a lesson.

Hate to rain on your parade but this has absolutely NOTHING to do with whaling, Even anti-whalers who simply follow the news would know this.

@YuriOtani: It's a simple case of trespassing really. Usually a country might let it slide if relations are good...but as the article said, Russia and Japan are on rocky ground as of late. That said I believe this is just Russia making an example for future incidents.

Regarding Japan- Japan almost never does anything as strong as this..and probably for the best.

Sanction revenge.

Russia detains Japanese whaling research vessel

The only reference to 'research' is in the headline. It's not a 'research' vessel at all! It's a 'hunting' vessel! Russia is quite within its rights to keep the 'hunting' vessel and turn it into soup cans. Let's hope they do!

pity it wasnt the whaling factory ship & Russia decide to impound it indefinately

Shonan Maru 2 is a also used as a so-called "security vessel", not just a research vessel. This vessel has been involved in many of the confrontations with SS, including the collision with the Ady Gil. If Russia views this ship as one with offensive capabilities which has deliberately entered Russian waters, the vessel and the crew will be in Russia for a little while, especially since Japan sided so strongly with the US and Europe over sanctions against Russia. I don't support whaling unless it's in waters near home, an opinion I'm entitled to, but I hope Russia at least returns the crew quickly even if it decides to impound the vessel for a while.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Sh%C5%8Dnan_Maru_2

If Russia views this ship as one with offensive capabilities which has deliberately entered Russian waters

Wouldn't have to have offensive capabilities. Russia could just claim espionage. At least in 2005 it was illegal for tourists to bring camcorders into Russia. US got their spy plane back in pieces from China, after emergency landing on Hainan.

Nightmare. The sea north of Hokkaido, especially Kuril Islands chain area, is teeming with fish and they should NOT be disturbed by stupid military exercises. This is the disturbing news to me here.

Russia is right here. I must agree.

kaynide and FPSRussia then Russian ships need to stay out of Japanese waters. If it was something because of that ship type than have no objections but if it was because of the nationality then it is trouble. Rights like entering other countries waters are reciprocal.

YuriOtani, did you read the whole news?

Tokyo has admitted the vessel changed its initial course and entered Russian waters without going through the proper procedures.

There is no connection with the flag of the ship, it's the matter of violation of proper maritime procedures. Dozens of Japanese ships enetr Russian ports and Russian waters without any problems. Think twice before you write.

19 Japanese crew and one Russian observer onboard. The vessel changed its initial course and entered Russian waters without going through the proper procedures. Why would the Japanese do whaling research in waters outside their jurisdiction?

I think Putin is petty, but the Japanese's action is questionable.

@hamptonAUG. 23, 2014 - 10:31AM JST

If Russia views this ship as one with offensive capabilities which has deliberately entered Russian waters, the vessel and the crew will be in Russia for a little while, especially since Japan sided so strongly with the US and Europe over sanctions against Russia.

This is not about ' sanctions ' or 'possible retaliation'. Seems, they are extensively questioned about goals of their visit. The ship has a very scandal reputation in Pacific.

19 Japanese crew and one Russian observer onboard. The vessel changed its initial course and entered Russian waters without going through the proper procedures.

Maybe it was taking the Russian home.

Why would the Japanese do whaling research in waters outside their jurisdiction?

I think Putin is petty, but the Japanese's action is questionable.

"Whaling Research Vessel" ... very funny headline. And they don't communicate information with whale hunting ships? Please.

turbotsat, I agree, they can claim anything they like if they want to be difficult and hurt Japan.

Asakaze read it in Japanese so get it now. Well I was not in the coast guard and my duties did not involve getting clearances.