Yes, like a game of chicken as already suggested. Run in front of the Japanese and hope they (metaphorically) slam on the brakes...
A kids game... But in this case, it backfired on them; their boat is badly damaged/destroyed and the publicity has backfired on them as generally people are not impressed...
Perhaps had they not faked their captain being shot a little while back then people would be more inclined to believe them. But they did, so they don't.
Most big charities are just a method of making you part with your cash anyway.