(2) Reinforcement of Countermeasures Against Suspicious Ships
After the reviews conducted by the relevant ministries and agencies, pivoting around the Cabinet Secretariat, in order to exert maximum efforts for the maintenance of security and crisis management of Japan, on 4 June 1999, "The Review on the Incident Involving the Suspicious Boats off the Coast of Noto Peninsula" was approved in a meeting consisting of the Ministers concerned.
Based on this, since the incident that occurred in March 1999, JCG has been implementing more rapid communication of information between the Defense Agency and other ministries and agencies concerned. Furthermore, as regards the strengthening of surveillance systems and developing response capacity, besides advancing the deployment of two helicopters with enhanced night-time surveillance functions (one of which was completed in April 2000) and three high-speed special guard craft with enhanced weaponry and defense capabilities that are quick enough to apprehend suspicious ships, JCG has carried out reviews on the deployment of existing high-speed light-class patrol vessels.
II Maintenance of Legal Order at Sea
1. Violations of Laws Related to Commercial Fishing
(1) Japanese Commercial Fishing
In 1999, JCG sent 1,204 cases of violations of laws related to commercial fishing to the Public Prosecutors Office of which the majority were criminal acts of so-called poaching including operating without permission, and operating outside approved zones and time periods.
(2) Foreign Commercial Fishing
In 1999, JCG arrested 28 foreign fishing vessels on accounts of illegal operation and other violations in Japanese territorial waters and EEZ, representing an increase of 11 vessels compared to 1998 previously (refer to Table 2).
