TOKYO - Japan authorities on Wednesday released a Chinese fishing boat skipper who was detained Tuesday for alleged unauthorized fishing in waters near Japan's Nagasaki Prefecture, according to Chinese consulate general in Fukuoka.

After paying the bail, the skipper, Shang Hengcai, was released from Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture at about 4: 30 pm local time and was taken to his boat, Zhe Ling Yu 23638, by Japanese patrol vessel.

The skipper is expected to reach his boat, which stayed in the waters of Japan's Danjo Gunto with six sailors on board, early Thursday morning and then they will leave for China.