Hitoshi Nakama, 76 years old, is a frontline defender for Japan's claim to the disputed islands of the East China Sea. He regularly avoids Chinese coast guard vessels to harvest the rich waters. Since late last year, Japanese officials have discreetly asked Nakama, and his peers, to steer clear of remote outcrops, known as Senkaku (in Japan) and Diaoyu (in China), to avoid escalating diplomatic tensions with Beijing.

These requests, which were reported for the first time in by, mark a sudden shift from years when Tokyo tacitly allowed such trips to be made by fishermen who used them as a means of asserting Japan's control over the uninhabited islands and the?surrounding waters. These islands, which are administered by Japan, but also claimed as Chinese territory, have been a source of friction between the two Asian countries for many years. The relationship has deteriorated ever since Sanae Takaichi, the Japanese leader, angered China by making comments in November about how Tokyo would respond to an attack from China on Taiwan. Later that month, U.S. president Donald Trump asked Takaichi - a nationalist who had become prime minister in October - not to inflame tensions. Couldn't tell if Takaichi ordered the pleas or if they were linked to an appeal by the United States, Japan’s main security ally.

Takaichi’s office and Japan’s Foreign Ministry declined to answer questions about the fishermen's requests. In a statement, the foreign ministry stated that the islands are an integral part of Japan and that they have repeatedly lodged diplomatic complaints over Chinese incursions.

According to more than 12 people interviewed, including Japanese officials, security analysts, and fishermen, the warnings to fishermen show a Catch-22 for Tokyo. Fishing demonstrates Japan's control over the islands, but it also risks a more serious conflict with Chinese coastguard vessels, which could escalate quickly. Some people interviewed said that a retreat could lead China to assertively press their claims.

China's Foreign Ministry said that some right-wing Japanese repeatedly entered the water near the islands in the name of "fishing" to cause trouble and provoke. They added that maritime issues should be resolved through dialogue and consultation.

An official in the Trump administration declined to answer questions about President Trump's call with Takaichi on November 14, but stated that the U.S. opposes unilateral attempts to alter the status quo of the East China Sea.

Small incidents can lead to war

In November, as tensions with China grew, fishermen started to beg for help.

Hiroaki Hiroaki, the businessman who chairs Nakama’s nationalist group, said he had received a request by a Japanese Coast Guard official to stop Nakama going on a planned trip at the end that month. Hayashi reported that Nakama chose to stay away from the coast guard official.

Kazushi Kinjo (53), another fisherman said that he planned to fish around the Senkaku islands on a seven-day voyage which began November 26. But before he set sail and even while he was at sea, multiple officials called him to urge him to avoid the Senkaku Islands.

He declined to name the officials. "They have never said that before." Kinjo claimed that he had briefly passed through the waters surrounding the islands while returning to his home port, but did not stop to fish.

Satsuki Katayama, former adviser to Senkaku Islands Defence Association (the nationalist group supporting Nakama) and Finance Minister, hosted the fishermen in Tokyo on 19 December.

Nakama reported that during their 20-minute encounter, she inquired about his visits to the islands in the past and said "small incidents could grow and lead to war". He said he interpreted her message as a request for him to stay away even though she did not say it directly.

Nakama said, "What she really meant was that she didn’t want me going," as waves shook his boat at his home port in Ishigaki. He is a local councillor.

Katayama's Office declined to comment about the meeting. The Japan Coast Guard says it will inform relevant parties of the security situation surrounding the islands when necessary but declines to provide specifics.

Ishigaki mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama said Japanese officials seemed concerned that Chinese authorities could detain or inspect fishermen during a time of increased tensions with Beijing.

"If someone were to be actually detained, it would escalate into a bigger international issue. So I think that's what the government is trying to avoid," he said at his office. In recent years, China has increased efforts to enforce their sweeping maritime claims.

In 2010, the last major maritime dispute between China & Japan broke out after Japan's Coast Guard detained the captain a Chinese fishing vessel that collided near the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. In 2012, the relationship deteriorated further when Japan nationalized several islands that were previously privately owned.

Washington has agreed to defend the islands as part of its security treaty with Japan. This means that any conflict there could draw the United States into the conflict.

It's a touch paper that could lead to further tensions between Japan and China because China is pushing hard for its claim on the islands. Robert Ward, Japan Chair at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London (IISS), said that the situation is incredibly tense.

According to Japan's Coast Guard, Chinese coastguard ships were seen near the islands for a record number of days in 2013. The islands are located more than 300 km from mainland China. They are also about 150 km from Japan's closest inhabited territory and 170km from Taiwan.

Good Fishing

The islands have long been associated to fishing.

A skipjack tuna-processing plant was built on Uotsuri Island's main island in the late 19th century. It was abandoned in 1930.

In 1977, before Beijing began more assertively pressing its claims and scaring off fishermen, there were at least 164 Japanese fishing trips ?to the islands, according to a Japanese government-commissioned research report.

According to the Japan Coast Guard, only eight Japanese fishing vessels visited in 2014, down from 18.

Nakama, along with his nationalist supporters, say that they are determined to reverse a decline in fishing on the islands. They argue that this activity shows Japan's control.

Paul Midford is a professor at Meiji Gakuin University, Yokohama. He said that while this argument was valid, it could lead to escalation, as both sides would try to outdo one another to show control.

Ward of IISS said that a total lack of economic activity in Japan could encourage China to flood the region with its ships. He said that Japan must continue to show it is active in the Senkaku Islands.

Kinjo stated that money is his motive, not politics.

"I earn my money there...a substantial income," said he, describing the waters as a treasure chest of red snapper, an area delicacy.

Kinjo and Nakama are determined to return, despite the risks, even though rough winter seas might keep them away.

"I will go there as long as I own this boat." Nakama, sitting on an icebox on the deck of his vessel, said: "I'll keep going."

(source: Reuters)