China seizure of ship could hurt Japan business - Japan spokesman

TOKYO (Reuters) - China's seizure of a ship owned by Japanese shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd for allegedly failing to pay compensation stemming from a wartime contractual obligation is "extremely regrettable" and could hurt Japanese business there, Japan's top government spokesman said on Monday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga also told a regular news conference that Japan was asking the Chinese government to provide information on the ship seizure and expected Beijing to take appropriate action.