TOKYO -- A breakdown in talks between Japan and South Korea has caused the neighbors to take the unusual step of prohibiting each other's fishing boats from operating in their respective exclusive economic zones.

The ban was put in place Tuesday after negotiators from the countries failed to reach an agreement over quotas and other issues the day before, as had been hoped. Japan had accused South Korean vessels fishing for largehead hairtail of operating illegally, but Seoul refused to remedy the situation, leading to the breakdown.

This marks the first time that Japan and South Korea have ordered fishing boats out of their respective exclusive zones since the current bilateral fishing agreement took effect in 1999. Unless new terms can be agreed on, ships operating in the other country's zone could be seized.

Seoul and Tokyo aim to resume talks, but tensions over historical and other issues have dimmed the prospects for a quick resolution.

According to Japan's Fisheries Agency, about 120 South Korean fishing vessels were operating in Japan's exclusive economic zone at the end of June, before leaving on orders from Seoul. Because there were no Japanese fishing boats in South Korea's zone, the development has apparently had no immediate impact on the country's industry. But Japanese mackerel fishing off the coast of South Korea's Jeju Island typically begins in earnest around October, meaning the disagreement could take a toll if negotiations remain stalled.

(Nikkei)