Thu, August 16, 2012
By Zhao Wei, Sina English
Japanese police have detained 14 Chinese activists on Wednesday, and seven of them allegedly having landed on the Diaoyu Islands and accused of violating Japanese immigration control laws.
According to the Sankei Shimbun, 14 activists will be taken to Okinawa Island for investigation. After that, Japan Coast Guard will decide whether to transfer them to the prosecution for further investigation, or to the Immigration Bureau of Japan before being sent back to Hong Kong.
In light of Japan's Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, illegal entry into Japan's territory will be sentenced up to 3 years in prison and a fine not exceeding 3 million yen. Japan should deal with the matter in accordance with Japanese law, since the Diaoyu Islands are "Japanese territory", Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
Jin Yongming, an expert on maritime law with the Institute of Law under the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said that Japan would possibly deal with the matter in the following ways: First, sentence the activists in accordance with the Japanese laws; Second, release them immediately; Third, sentence them in accordance with the Japanese laws, and then release them after a few days.
That said, Jin said, Japan's sentence to Diaoyu activists will lead to a more flaming crisis and will not stop Chinese activities from landing, fishing and patrolling off the Diaoyu Isalnds .
Latest news from Japan’s Kyodo News Agency this morning said Japan is considering deporting 14 Chinese activists, who has been transferred to Naha, Okinawa by Japan Coast Guard's boat, as soon as Friday.
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