Updated: 2005-06-20
Taiwan will take the unprecedented step Tuesday of sending a frigate equipped with anti-ship missiles to defend Taiwanese fishermen who have been repeatedly chased from an area under dispute with Japan, a Taiwanese "lawmaker" said.

Wang Jin-pyng said Monday that he and a group of other "legislators" will board the frigate in the eastern port of Suao for the four-hour, 100-kilometer (60-mile) trip to waters around a group of uninhabited islands north of Taiwan.

Wang is a front-runner in elections for the leadership of the main opposition Nationalist Party set for July.

Taiwanese media have reported that "Defense Minister" Lee Jye and other officials will also be on the vessel, which will be equipped with anti-ship missiles.

Taiwan has long avoided sending naval ships to protect its fishing boats against interference by Japanese patrol boats, fearing conflict with Japan, its major trading partner.

The Taiwanese decision to send the frigate follows complaints by fishermen that Taiwanese authorities have not done enough to protect them from Japanese patrol boats in the disputed area.

Japan often fines ship owners and impounds Taiwanese fishing vessels that enter the waters, which are rich in fish.

Earlier this month a group of Taiwanese fishermen had a conflict with Japanese patrol boats and once surrounded the Japanese boats.

Opposition politicians have criticized the Taiwan authorities for kowtowing to Japan on the fishing controversy and on other issues.

"(Taiwan) 'President' has taught us to be brave Taiwanese," said independent "lawmaker" May Chin. "Now the entire Taiwan is waiting for the government to show its guts and stand up to Japan."