Russian crew refuse to leave Japan

The Japanese authorities say the crew of a Russian vessel, which fled into Japanese territorial waters after being chased by Russian border guard is refusing to leave.

After searching the vessel and questioning its crew, the Japanese Coast Guard said there was no legitimate reason for the vessel to be in harbour but the boat's captain said he was only trying to avoid paying any large fines which the Russian authorities demanded.

The Russian authorities suspect the ship was engaged in illegal fishing.

Earlier a Russian plane fired warning shots at the ship after it defied orders to stop. The vessel sailed under a Japanese flag in Russian waters and then raised a Russian flag in Japanese waters, before entering the Japanese harbour of Wakkanay.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service