A South Korean fishing boat (second from right) was a focal point of a standoff between coast guard vessels from Japan and South Korea in the Sea of Japan.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told a news conference that the Japan Coast Guard "took minimum necessary measures" although "they scuffled" with the South Korean crew to stop the ship.

The South Korean fishermen alleged the coast guard ship had fired warning shots and damaged their boat, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

Crew members said they were beaten with clubs by Japan Coast Guard officers who boarded their vessel and one fisherman needed hospital treatment.

The two countries ended a two-day standoff June 2 after the skipper of the South Korean eel-fishing vessel admitted entering Japanese waters illegally and promised to pay a ¥500,000 penalty.

Japan said the boat had refused an inspection and fled when two coast guard agents boarded the vessel to conduct a search.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 11, 2005
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