Japan releases Chinese boat captain

Japan released the detained captain of Chinese fishing boat after he paid a fine, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.Zhang Tianxiong and his 10-member crew were detained Sunday by the Japanese Coast Guard after the vessel sailed into Japanese waters, China Daily reported.Earlier Japanese reports had said the Chinese boat captain was held after he refused inspection and tried to flee. The incident occurred off Nagasaki prefecture.A Japanese patrol boat later stopped Zhang's vessel after a chase lasting more than 4 hours.The China Daily quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei as saying the incident was resolved appropriately.