Japanese government spokesperson said, five crew members were rescued from a cargo ship that sank off southwestern japan during fierce winter winds, with planes and ships, including private vessels, searching for the remaining 17.

Japanese government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno said, Japan's coast guard received a distress call from the Hong Kong-registered "Jintian" vessel that the ship was taking on water and in danger of sinking.

He said, the coast guard immediately sought assistance from patrol ships and aircraft in the vicinity, the west of Nagasaki city, and five Chinese crew members have been rescued.