Legislators of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) on Thursday demanded that the executive branch take tougher action against Japan, including use of military force, after a Taiwanese fishing boat and its crew were detained by Japan Coast Guard officials last month for fishing in Japanese waters.

KMT legislator Liao Kuo-tung told a legislative committee that the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou, also of the KMT, is "too weak" in handling the matter so "when it (Taiwan) gives an inch, it (Japan) will take a mile."

"We must take stronger actions," he said. "Only by using military means can we make Japan bow its head."