BoatcollisionssparkJapan.docVIP

Boat collisions spark Japan-China diplomatic row The diplomatic row has sparked protests in China A diplomatic row has intensified between China and Japan after collisions between two Japanese patrol boats and a Chinese trawler on Tuesday. Beijing has urged Japans ambassador to stop the illegal interception of Chinese fishing boats. Meanwhile, Japan has arrested the captain of the Chinese vessel. The incidents in the East China Sea took place near a disputed chain of islands, which Japan controls but are claimed by both China and Taiwan. According to state media the Chinese authorities told the Japanese ambassador that his country must stop what it called illegal interceptions of Chinese fishing boats. A Japanese Coast Guard spokesman said the Chinese vessel had collided with two Japanese patrol boats in two separate incidents, 40 minutes apart. No injuries were reported. She said the 41-year-old captain of the fishing boat had been arrested after repeatedly ignoring requests to leave the area. A Chinas Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said China had repeated its claim to the Diaoyu islands and urged Japanese patrol boats in the area against any so-called law enforcement activities or any actions that would jeopardise Chinese fishing boats or Chinese people. The BBCs Martin Patience in Beijing says the collisions are the latest example of rising tensions between the two countries over territorial rights in the East China Sea. The disputed chain of uninhabited islands which Japan controls are also claimed by China and Taiwan. China calls them the Diaoyu islands while Japan refers to them as the Senkaku islands. In the past Japan has lodged protests with China over entry of the countrys vessels in to water close to this territory. Suicides cost Japan economy $32bn Mr Kan sees the figures as proof of an economic and emotional downturn The government in Japan says suicides and depression cost its economy almost 2.7tn yen ($32bn; ￡21bn) last year. The figures refer to l