Coast Guard Admits Leaking Chinese Fishing Boat Video

2010-11-11 150

A Japanese coastguard official admits leaking a video of a collision between a Chinese fishing vessel and Japanese patrol boats. The video has been widely shown on television and on the internet, raising tensions between the two countries.

This Wednesday a member of Japan's Coast Guard says he was the one that leaked video of a collision between a Chinese fishing vessel and Japanese patrol boats in September.

It happened near the disputed isles in the East China Sea, and has soured relations between the two countries.

[Hisayasu Suzuki, Commandant, Japanese Coast Guard]:
"I've been informed a coastguard member told his superior officer that he leaked the recorded video."

The video has been widely shown on television and appears to show the Chinese boat being deliberately steered into the Japanese patrol vessels.

Japan detained the Chinese skipper of the fishing boat who was later released.

Police are planning to arrest the coastguard member for leaking the confidential video.

The question now is can Kan's government keep control of confidential information.

[Naoto Kan, Japanese Prime Minister]:
"Regardless of who the perpetrator may be, I extremely regret the fact that certain information, which should not have gone out to the public, has been leaked. I would like to clarify my sincere apology to the people of Japan."

No meeting between Japanese and Chinese officials has been scheduled during the APEC meeting this weekend in Yokohama.