Taipei - Taiwan, fearing escalation of tension with Japan, on Tuesday canceled a plan to send a warship to protest Japanese coast guard ship's sinking a Taiwan trawler near the Diaoyu Islands.

Lawmaker Lin Yu-fang said the planned "inspection voyage" by lawmakers to the Diaoyu Islands on a Lafayette frigate was dropped after receiving instruction from the Presidential Office Monday night.

"Authorities think that Japan's attitude has softened after Taiwan stepped up protests. They hope the civic sector can give the Foreign Ministry more time to negotiate with Japan," he said.

The sudden reversal is believed to come from President Ma Ying-jiou. Ma will hold a news conference at 4 pm (0800 GMT) Tuesday to explain Taipei's stance on the June 10 boat collision.

On June 10, a Japanese coast guard vessel sank a Taiwanese boat near the Diaoyu Islands.

Thirteen Taiwan fishermen and three crew were rescued from the sea by the Japanese crew.

The Japanese side claimed the boat intruded into its territorial waters, but the boat captain stressed the boat was on innocent passage.

The Japan Coast Guard filed papers on the captain of the sunken Taiwanese ship and the Japanese captain of the patrol vessel Saturday to Japanese public prosecutors on suspicion of professional negligence.

Taiwan Friday recalled its de facto ambassador to Tokyo to protest against Japan's handling of incident after Tokyo refused to apologize and compensate for the captain's loss. Taiwan does not have official ties with Japan. (dpa)