(CNN) -- Japan on Saturday rejected China's demand for an apology and compensation over the detention of a Chinese fishing boat captain that sparked a row between the two nations.
Zhan Qixiong was detained earlier this month after his trawler collided with Japanese vessels near disputed islands in the East China Sea.
However, Satoru Sato, a spokesman for the Japanese Foreign Ministry, told the nation's official media that Beijing's action is ''groundless'' and ''totally unacceptable".
The comment to Kyodo news agency came after China asked for an apology.
Despite calls for an apology, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two sides should resolve the problems through dialogue and consultation, according to Chinese state media.
CNN
