When China's repeated demands for the release of the skipper were refused and his detention extended for ten more days, the Chinese government cancelled official meetings of the ministerial level and above.

In China the overall event is perceived as a diplomatic victory,[4] while in Japan the Japanese government's "weak-kneed" handling of the issue was criticized,[5] particularly by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

[8][9] In 2008 a sports fishing boat from Taiwan, Lien Ho, was rammed and sunk by JCG patrol ships which led to an official apology and monetary compensation of NT$10 million paid by Japan.

[11]: 264 According to the JCG, the patrol boat Mizuki of the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters encountered Minjinyu 5179 at about 10:15 (JST) on September 7, 2010.

On September 8, 2010, JCG boarded the Chinese trawler and arrested its captain for obstruction of performance of public duty and illegal fishing.

In response to the arrest, the Chinese government made a series of diplomatic protests, demanding the immediate release of the trawler and all its crew.

[11]: 264  This detention differed from the Japanese Coast Guard's usual approach of expelling or deporting those that it viewed as intruders in the area.

[11]: 264  It also stopped a boat trip to the disputed islands from departing Xiamen on 10 September and dispersed anti-Japanese protests in Beijing, Nanjing, Changsha.

[11]: 264  It instructed PLA media commentators not to talk about the incident, censored key words related to the dispute online, and shut down internet chat rooms.

That said, we also stress that we don't take a position on the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands, but recognize current Japanese jurisdiction stemming back to the reversion of Okinawa to Japan.

Upon repeated demands from legislators in the Diet from some members of various parties (DPJ and LDP included), a viewing was finally arranged on November 1, 2010.

[citation needed] Although YouTube is blocked inside mainland China, the videos were quickly reproduced on many Chinese websites.

[citation needed] According to the Asahi Shimbun, since returning to China government authorities have confined Zhan Qixiong to his home.

Local Jinjiang fishermen told the Asahi reporter that they have mainly stayed away from the Senkaku Islands since the incident, but would go back, "as long as there were fish in the area.