Fishing boat Zuisho Maru freed 7 months after seizure by Russia

KUSHIRO, Japan - The Japanese fishing boat Zuisho Maru No. 38, seized by Russian authorities in January for illegal fishing, berthed at Rausu, Hokkaido after it was released by Russia and towed back to Rausu on Aug. 14. The captain Takashi Kawabata and five other crew members of the 19-ton vessel had been released by the end of May. Russian authorities accused Kawabata of illegal fishing and imposed a 300,000 ruble (1.4 million yen) fine.