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Taiji fishermen vow to continue dolphin slaughter

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Animal rights activists continue to protest in the town, despite hostility from locals who say they are victims of anti-Japanese bias.

Just like with so many other things here, taking a singular action or event and making it into a Japan bashing incident.

The hostility is not against Japan, it's against those individuals that hunt and slaughter the dolphins, no logical person would blame all Japanese for the actions of a few, and it's about time that the media and press nationwide and internationally as well, to start pushing that distinction

Narrowing the focus of the anger to those involved, and stopping them from including ALL Japan in the process would be a step in the right direction in getting them (hopefully shaming them) into stopping their actions.

If the people in Taiji start to feel that they are on their own and dont .have the support of the media or press I'll bet changes will come.

20 ( +25 / -5 )

Thos is old news.

-21 ( +4 / -25 )

I don't understand why people are being so furious when it comes to the cetacean-related issues, while there are plenty of other cruel methods to hunting or handling animals (i.e. factory farming). Everything relating to killing animals can be considered cruel!

However, I really respect WAZA's attitude of not killing animals when it is unnecessary, and I think fishermen could consider using another method.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

As the father of an 11 year-old boy myself I also wonder what kind of mind would really want to take him out slaughtering animals so as to "pass on the tradition". I mean to say, I would not want to ever subject him to such carnage. I feel it would have severe repercussions on his emotional development. And the fact that I share the world with people who would be happy to do this to their children I personally find worrisome.

14 ( +19 / -5 )

Just like with so many other things here, taking a singular action or event and making it into a Japan bashing incident.

The hostility is not against Japan, it's against those individuals that hunt and slaughter the dolphins, no logical person would blame all Japanese for the actions of a few, and it's about time that the media and press nationwide and internationally as well, to start pushing that distinction

Narrowing the focus of the anger to those involved, and stopping them from including ALL Japan in the process would be a step in the right direction in getting them (hopefully shaming them) into stopping their actions.

If the people in Taiji start to feel that they are on their own and dont .have the support of the media or press I'll bet changes will come.

Exactly what I wanted to say. Holy shit Japan can be touchy when they get even the slightest amount of disapproval from other nations.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

“We used to harpoon dolphins but that’s several decades ago. Now we sever the spinal cord in a moment and there is not much blood.”

Yeah, a much better way of being murdered than living out your days in the deep blue sea and dying of natural causes. How can you say that sentence and feel good about yourself? Is this how he'd like to go?

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Exactly what I wanted to say. Holy shit Japan can be touchy when they get even the slightest amount of disapproval from other nations.

Thank you, except I would clarify this to say "The people that are the focus of the outrage in Taiji can be awfully touchy when it comes to the slightest amount of disapproval from other nations".

What you wrote here is exactly what I don't want to see, people generalizing or grouping ALL Japanese together because of the actions of a few.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

This article states they stopped using harpoons decades ago, but that was not the case in the movie 'The Cove', which was only a few years ago. They are still harpooning the dolphins and taking them to the processing plant alive to cut their throats and let them bleed out. If the position of these fishermen was factual and proved to be necessary it would be much easier to accept than their lies.

Another point that everybody, including these fishermen, are ignoring is, dolphin meat has been deemed unfit for human consumption by the WHO. A recent survey of Taiji residents found upwards of ten times the safe limit of mercury in their bodies. What kind of an idiot would feed this stuff to their kids just to justify some BS cultural background? Give your kid cyanid and you face murder charges, but give them Mercury laced dolphin meat and you are expressing your culture? Unbelievable!

16 ( +20 / -4 )

The dolphin hunt is not Japanese culture (tradition). It is a culture (tradition) practiced only in a particular area of Japan. (Taiji)

18 ( +21 / -3 )

“We will never stop it,”

At this point the "fishermen's" vow to persist with the dolphin capture/slaughter is merely an act of face-saving defiance, completely devoid of any economic or cultural rationale. Pitiful.

17 ( +19 / -2 )

Truly barbaric, and sad too.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Now we sever the spinal cord in a moment and there is not much blood.

Because unless you bleed, it doesn't hurt at all, right? Wrong.

http://savejapandolphins.org/take-action/frequently-asked-questions

the fishermen push a sharp metal spike into the dolphins' necks just behind the blowholes, which is supposed to sever the spinal cord and produce an instant "humane" death. In fact, we have film footage from hidden cameras that show the dolphins thrashing for minutes on end in agony. The fishermen even push wooden corks into the wounds to prevent spilling blood into the Cove, again to prevent us from filming blood-red waters. Several veterinarians and scientists have examined these films, and they state that the dolphin killing methods used in Taiji would be illegal if used in slaughterhouses in the United States, Europe, or Japan.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Well, Yubaru, I tend to disagree with your quarantining this issue from one that might implicate more, and perhaps the whole of Japan. Anyone who is susceptible to the "it's my culture" argument, which includes those who are patriotic in any way and immune to reason because of some misguided love of country, do in fact have a responsibility for all that goes on in that country and perhaps even what went on in the past. You can't just be patriotic - my country, right or wrong - and pick and choose what you are patriotic about and not have any responsibility for upholding the bad things. At the very least, a do-nothing behavior allows the bad things to continue. If you don't like being held to account for your own country then reject it as a love or affection (after all, it does not love you back). In Japan, of course, the ideology is so strong, mixing "the Japanese way" with personal identity, that we might argue that citizens do not have a choice about what they believe and are not therefore personally responsible for what goes on. Make that argument if you wish.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Ignorant and arrogant to the end...you can't fix stupid!

11 ( +15 / -3 )

What really surprised me was Australia and New Zealand excitedly accepting Japan into the TPP talks without bringing this up as a condition to join. I almost thought they would. They missed a golden opportunity.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

"However, the vote has left aquariums with the problem of how to continue to stock their facilities—only 12 to 13% of dolphins at Japanese aquariums are captive-bred, compared with 70% in the United States, according to JAZA."

So what is their excuse? Japanese ingenuity should have perfected captive breeding by now. Or are they simply in bed with the Taiji "fishermen"?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The Taiji Fisherman are featured on an old South Park episode. An episode showing savage japanese fishermen invading the US killing whales and dolphins.

2 ( +5 / -2 )

and there is not much blood

What planet is he from? - not much blood? This comment shows the futility of trying to have any kind of meaningful diagogue which these people. May be he should check out some of the shocking footage on Youtube and then try to say there's not much blood.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

The more non-Japanese harp on about it, the more determined the Japanese will be to continue doing it.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

No, sir, this is not against Japan, but your actions reflect very poorly, or cruel, for the nation! If you won't stop for morals and common sense, do it for Japan!

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Then why not invite observers to see their "humane" methods? Time to call their bluff. Without the proceeds from captive dolphins their "tradition" will die a slow - but inevitable death

5 ( +7 / -2 )

If the westerners stopped slaughtering all the animals for food or fur or whatever, then Taiji people might listen to what the westerners are saying. Japan is behind Taiji people as long as the westerners remains so irrational.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

No, sir, this is not against Japan, but your actions reflect very poorly, or cruel, for the nation! If you won't stop for morals

what do morals have to do with this? is it wrong to kill animals? all of you protesting the dolphin hunt are vegans then? because if you are a carnivore, than you are just being a hypocrite.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I hate to side with Japan over the allegations of bias, but how many of you are protesting the Danish Faroe Islands dolphin masacres? Pretty much exactly the same thing (looks a lot more brutal to be honest), but there isnt much worldwide attention or cries of barbarism against danish people.

Not that i condone either, but its easy to see that almost all the blame goes to Japan when the other goes by relatively unnoticed.

-5 ( +7 / -13 )

Nice, balanced headline there.

(go ahead and rain your thumbs down on me, you know who you are)

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

how many of you are protesting the Danish Faroe Islands dolphin masacres?

@afanofJapan

This is JapanToday. The content is mainly focused on Japan, and nearly all of the readership has an interest in this country — so of course voices on this site are much louder in protest against Taiji. Plus, many of us posting have a vested interest in Japan, and as such would like to see this nation become a more upstanding citizen of the global community.

Naturally, if you were reading "DenmarkToday" there would be many comments protesting the dolphin slaughter there, and relatively few comments on the Taiji slaughter.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

No reason at all but spite. What a tradition!

8 ( +14 / -6 )

locals who say they are victims of anti-Japanese bias.

And there it is - the reflex victim card. These thugs shame all of Japan in the eyes of the world and then make out it's foreign racism to blame for international disgust.

If it's so humane, let's all have a look at it.. You can't pretend it's culture and hide it behind tarpaulins.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

These people are low life rejects. Unbelievable!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

JAZA's give-in to WAZA does not indicate JAZA is critical against Taiji practice. JAZA members were simply worried about the prospect of other animals. Shame on WAZA, which was ganging up with Paul Watson.

-18 ( +0 / -18 )

@Pandabelle

I gave you a thumbs down because it was a pretty silly comment. I assume you have a problem with the word "slaughter"? Killing animals for food is normally referred to as "slaughter." Ever heard of a slaughter house? It's probably more accurate than calling it a "hunt" since that would imply some balance of odds between hunter and prey.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

As much as I despise the Taiji dolphin killers, hating on Taiji is quite simply a way to distract oneself from one's own sins. I would elaborate but it seems that is not allowed.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Everything ends, no matter what these clowns want or hope. I know in Japan, it might take a million years, but even fools must at some time realize the futility of their quest for dolphin meat.

These people are like the people who used to sell ice by going and cutting it from frozen lakes. Their business went out of fashion when people learned how to instead produce ice. And, eventually, the fridge/freezer came along making ice producers obsolete. It is a hopeless and pointless struggle, brought on by foolish stubbornness and deluded ideas of some sort of 'culture'. It will end, sooner than you think.

Much like bullfighting, dolphin hunting doesn't rhyme with the times.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Hard headed SOB's

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The Taiji fishermen's co-operative is just WAZA WAZA creating a problem which need not exist.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

" We used to harpoon dolphins but that’s several decades ago. Now we sever the spinal cord in a moment and there is not much blood. "

So why hide it all under those blue plastic sheets? Should be nothing to hide, if it is all so humanitarian.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

That's simply evil and disgusting.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

“It’s unclear which part of the drive hunt WAZA considers cruel,” Kai said.

Wow.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

You can't just be patriotic - my country, right or wrong - and pick and choose what you are patriotic about and not have any responsibility for upholding the bad things.

I disagree, one certainly has the right to pick, that is what freedom of expression is about.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Some people enjoy labeling their pointless, hurtful behavior as a "tradition" and then assume it's beyond criticism or change. Many things were traditions in the past and that's where they are now-- in the past. We ended them because they were stupid, pointless or outright barbaric. The dolphin hunt should join those in extinction.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Then you won't mind being held to account for your patriotism. This is my point.

I will not be accountable for things I am not directly involved in, I will not be held accountable for the actions of few, and with which I disagree with, and I will not be held accountable for actions that I have no knowledge regarding either.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"pass on the tradition". to his sons..... let him train for a job in Family Martoooooo.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Well, perhaps you are not patriotic anyway, but anyone who excuses their nation's behaviour with what amounts to "it's just how we are" has a case to answer. Freedom of expression is not totally cost-free. It comes with a responsibility.

Not patriotic? I am a former United States Marine, believe me I am patriotic about my country, but I do not uphold the idea that I have any responsibility regarding the atrocities my country did onto others.

I do not hide my head in the sand either, but to suggest that I am somehow responsible for the actions of others is to me quite an illogical argument.

Freedom is not free and I have put my money where my mouth is......

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In 2045 there will be a Taiji Dolphin Peace Museum with many kawaii displays showing us how they actually helped the dolphins.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The more non-Japanese harp on about it, the more determined the Japanese will be to continue doing it. and the more ther international community will look badly on Japan. with Japanese being very image conscious abroad and the damage itll do to there image and trade, its only a matter of time before change will come.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

It's time Taiji fishermen understood that the world is not against them catching and killing dolphins IN GENERAL, but they are urged to do so HUMANELY. So gentlemen, be wise :-)

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

@afanofjapan

The reason that more attention is focused on Japan instead of the Faroe Islands is probably because more people have a vested interest in seeing Japan become a more humane society. Very few people live in or visit the Faroe Islands. In some sense, people hold Japan to a higher standard because they care about Japan... not just about the whales and dolphins.

2 ( +5 / -2 )

heres an idea, how about they send a few drones to hover over the masacre during the next hunt, just out of spear / stone range. a good HD camera close up of the carnage, cant put a cover over your heads

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Contrary to popular belief, the particular dolphins that are slaughtered in that area are WELL known for being dangerous and quite viscous. The fishermen there are doing a great service and protecting these killer dolphins from migrating to other parts of the ocen. Well done Taiji fishermen!! Thank you for keeping us safe!

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Contrary to popular belief, the particular dolphins that are slaughtered in that area are WELL known for being dangerous and quite viscous. The fishermen there are doing a great service and protecting these killer dolphins from migrating to other parts of the ocen. Well done Taiji fishermen!! Thank you for keeping us safe!

Sorry, but this is just ridiculous. (unless you are a small fish)

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

The arrogance. Right, more coverage of the slaughter, drones, HD cameras, international media. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Make them snap, stop and repent. It'S the only way to stop the slaughter, cruelty and stain on our collective sense of morality.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

M3M3M3 I would argue that its more of a case of Japan already being (in)famous for its Whaling activities, thereby the dolphin kill just adds fuel to the fire of "Oh those hardheaded barbaric Japanese"

Whereas most people would just say "Faroe islands? where in the heck is that?"

Both deserve equal media coverage and outrage. That way the Japanese can not claim to be being victimized. I have several of my Japanese acquaintances passing around photos of the Faroe islands massacres at the moment all asking "why isnt this on the news? why is it only Japanese being attacked for it?"

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Dolphins get aggressive in the summer. There are other accounts all over the world of coastal invasions of dangerous dolphins. This one happens to be in the spotlight now from that series "The Cove" that came out lately.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

If you won't stop for morals and common sense

how are these related to the issue? both are relative to the speaker. and morals are like hats, you can put them on whenever you want. and i love it that so many of you are morally superior to japanese people. it must feel good, eh?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Readers, please stop bickering.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hey, folks. It seems there are so many crimes against to "Dolphin Eating by Japanese".   We as almost all, maybe more than 99.99% people in Japan Don't know the Taste of Dolphin meat!! Our all of children will recognize dolphin as "Wise, cute voice, excellent performer annimal  in the water world"  at the first experience at aquarium zoo. They and more than 99.99 % people NEVER have recognition that "Dolphins are meat to eat".   There are nothing super market where sells Dolphin meat. Then, we Japanese suddenly have  heard the voice from yours, "Hey, Japanese, Don't Kill & Eat Dolphins!!!!!"     Ofcorse!!   We DON'T have that custom in each individual ordinary Life!!   Recently, we knew the town name  Taiji,  by SCREAMING Sea Shepherd the nature Terrorist whom attacking to JP whale ships that make designed hunting for whales.   It's well under-controled by govt. I have well understanding why the some Japanese having anger for the peoples who craiming Taiji,  because, they are  pushing and forcing their own way of thought to Taiji people.  Even though, almost all the people in Japan can't know the reason why the Taiji people want to eat dolphins, but I think it's their food culture from far old days that we must understand something about it.  Conclusion of mine, Dolphins are poor at that place, but very few, there are many things like politics, economics that should make immediately for entire Japanese.  Dolphin's priority is low at this time.  Though, Japanese govt. should hear the voices from "ordinary"foreigners not SS.   It'll better to make interchangeable work for Taiji's fishermen, and decrease dolphin hunting.  Very personally, I don't want to eat Dolphins, if good taste or not.  

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Recently, we knew the town name Taiji, by SCREAMING Sea Shepherd the nature Terrorist whom attacking to JP whale ships that make designed hunting for whales.

Someone has to get their hands dirty. I wish Sea Shepherd the best of success in their efforts regarding whales and dolphins

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I heard Japanese commentators on some of the Sunday morning panel shows laugh about "Westerners's obsession and overreaction when it comes to whales and dolphins". One of the explanations to which everyone in the studio nodded approvingly was that this is nothing more than an emotional reaction because dolphins are presumably "cute and smart". The discussion was closed by the question, "Why nobody protests against the killing of octupi? Probably because they are not cute." ...So it's all about cuteness as usual :)

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Western self righteousness at work. Still converting the heathens eh?

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

I heard Japanese commentators on some of the Sunday morning panel shows laugh about "Westerners's obsession and overreaction when it comes to whales and dolphins". One of the explanations to which everyone in the studio nodded approvingly was that this is nothing more than an emotional reaction because dolphins are presumably "cute and smart".

Oh that the Japanese general public knew the truth about the drive hunts. Show "The Cove" in all secondary schools. Let all mothers see the documentary and watch the bottom fall out of the captive dolphin industry audience in Japan. Ignorance is bliss as they say and the bias with which the Japanese media cover this issue could be likened to a chastity belt over the general public's eyes.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Oh that the Japanese general public knew the truth about the drive hunts. Show "The Cove" in all secondary schools. Let all mothers see the documentary and watch the bottom fall out of the captive dolphin industry audience in Japan. Ignorance is bliss as they say and the bias with which the Japanese media cover this issue could be likened to a chastity belt over the general public's eyes.

Actually what would be better is to first have the kids see some chickens getting their heads chopped off before they eat some karaage, a cow butchered for their steaks, and then the dolphin show.

A whole new generation of vegans.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The dolphins killed for their meat are the lucky ones but the disgusting practice of keeping large mammals and other large marine animals who roam over huge areas of ocean and are placed into small pools for them is basically like living in a toilet cubicle. It should be banned worldwide and the sooner the better!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

tonttu2012MAY. 28, 2015 - 02:37PM JST It's time Taiji fishermen understood that the world is not against them catching and killing dolphins IN GENERAL, but they are urged to do so HUMANELY. So gentlemen, be wise :-)

Ah...yes the world is against killing dolphins. Period. Full of mercury, not to be eaten in todays time. And definitely not to be sold for a life of slavery. Period. You call yourself a FISHerman, catch FISH, not mammals.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Because the Japanese people value Taiji people and its tradition more than some stupid dolphins. And I know "intelligence" is only an excuse. You just like the dolphins. You have no right to force another country your "likes"

That's not a reason to continue the hunt. Tradition is never a reason to continue to do something. Tradition is a mask, Tina, something to hide behind.

I admit I like whales and dolphins... what's not to like? They think, they communicate, they love, they hate, they play, they feel fear, they feel pain... just like us. Just like Britiish and Japanese people... all people.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

For us it is interesting to see how there is no debate in Japan.

Japanese people seem so meek and controlled, they can't debate some aspects of their society.

When I speak to Japanese people, many seem to think that the social system is all decided and fixed. Ordinary people can't hold an opinion and suggest changes.

In the case of Taiji, the method with which the dolphins are slaughtered is an interesting topic to debate. The healthiness of the dolphin meat (or otherwise) is also interesting to discuss.

A documentary about Taiji would be interesting, but no Japanese documentary makers (as far as I know) have ever made a documentary about it... it seems that because it is "tradition" it can never be questioned.

Perhaps that's why in the end a foreign documentary maker made a documentary about it.

So we get an impression of Japan and the Japanese as a somewhat controlled and brainwashed people.

I remember discussing Taiji with a Japanese person. He said something like... "Don't go stirring up discussion where no discussion exists..."

For me that was very interesting.

He wanted to control what could and couldn't be debated.

After hearing that, I started to notice that more and more among Japanese people... especially "oyaji"...

They seem to want the world set up as they decide... other people, for example, young people... have no say in deciding things and are browbeaten or threatened into silence.

The whole system is somewhat strange when viewed from an outside point of view.

When I watch Japanese TV, I rarely see hard-hitting documentaries about Japanese society.

Where are the documentaries that show things in Japanese society that Japanese people themselves might disagree with... these hardly seem to exist at all on Japanese TV.

Why is it? Are Japanese documentary makers scared to make such documentaries?

If anyone has seen any particularly hard-hitting documentaries made by Japanese, giving a critical look about some aspect of their own society... please tell me about them! I'd like to know more...

When I watch TV in Japan, I see lots of programs about ramen, or else wide-shows with stupid "talents" making stupid jokes about banal things.

Or else I see programs telling us how wonderful Japan is... or even TV shows that have foreigners to tell us how wonderful Japan is!! Bizarre!!

A TV documentary that, for example, focused on Taiji and, without bias, presented two sides to the discussion... that seems to be unthinkable in Japan.

Instead, such topics are presented as Japan vs the World.

Something like... "Look what the nasty foreigners are saying about Japan. We are Japanese and we all think the same way so we must stand against the foreigners..."

It makes me laugh... it seems so childish... is there only one opinion in Japan?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

A TV documentary that, for example, focused on Taiji and, without bias, presented two sides to the discussion... that seems to be unthinkable in Japan.

. . . A classic case of "the media sells it and you live the role". Exactly what it is choiwaruoyaji-

0 ( +2 / -2 )

drive hunt fishing?

But dolphins are mammals. Not fish.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Here is a link to a anti dolphin kill web site with a partition to the local mayor feel free to send your comment too the local mayor, if you wish to support the slaughter or if you disapprove of the slaughter,http://savejapandolphins.org/blog/post/taiji-mayor-we-will-not-quit

2 ( +3 / -1 )

why is it only Japanese being attacked for it?"

Sea Shepherd has a campaign in the faroe islands as well. If anything they are even more active there, than they are at Taiji. The difference is, the faroe islanders don't make a pretence out of it. They don't massacre the pilot whales under the cover of a tarpaulin - they do it in the open. For lack of a better word - the shame that the Taiji fishermen exhibit when they conceal the killing is doing them no favours

1 ( +3 / -2 )

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