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Japan to redesign Antarctic whale hunt

35 Comments
By Shigemi Sato

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© 2014 AFP

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"The United States is a major voice in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) against hunting..."

Classic. Japan is scared of what Obama might say if they begin to carry out their "research" whaling just before he arrives! They KNOW it's wrong and not at all for science.

9 ( +17 / -8 )

Obama will focus more on TPP because whale issue is handled well by Australia !

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Today, the world is on its way of globalization culturally, economcally, etc. They are applying the same global rules and standard to all regions of the world. Is this a right move? I feel a nostalgia about the time when different countries had different ideas and diverse traditions with the background of different histories.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

If such delay is motivated purely by a political reason, that would be disgraceful.

I am not sure Whitehouse would appreciate this diplomatic window-dressing for the sake of appeasement.

True friends should be able to handle the difference with respect. To sweep the dirt under the carpet acutally shows Japan's insecure nature under a polite facade.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

“We have received a report from local fishermen that they have postponed the departure from April 22 to 26 because they need more time to gather crew members,”

Hey, if they say they need more time to gather crew members, they need more time to gather crew members!

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

"Guys, guys! Do not mention the wales!"

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Oh yes. We need to kill the whales - as if we don’t slaughter enough animals as it it. Shame whalers, shame.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Japan lobby groups and dinosaurs are supporting a product few want at the expense of real needs of the Japanese people. It is common knowledge the demand for this destructive practice is gone. Even a cursory review reveals Japan rejects whaling and is appalled at the waste of precious resources; "85 percent said they were opposed to billions of yen in taxpayers' money being used to prop the industry up."

"This is demonstrably an industry in its death throes," . . . "It fails to cover its own costs, public demand for the product is decreasing and expenses - including fuel costs, maintenance of vessels, refurbishment and so on - are on the rise." . . . "There was also public anger when it was revealed that some Y2.28 billion were diverted from funds set aside to help communities struggling with the aftermath of the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake"

source: http://www.dw.de/japan-struggles-to-keep-whaling-alive/a-17457909

6 ( +8 / -2 )

The mass-selling Yomiuri Shimbun

Urgh. Who wrote this?? A child?

The United States is a major voice in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) against hunting, which Japan has carried out using a loophole that allows for “lethal research” on the mammals.

Yes, it has to be a child, because they don't understand what a loophole is.

It never made a secret of the fact that the whale meat from these hunts often ends up on dining tables.

And they have obviously never researched anything about the IWC charter.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Gees! Does that mean they are not gonna invite Obama to a whale meat banquet? I bet he'll be so disappointed!

11 ( +12 / -1 )

An official from the fisheries agency confirmed to AFP that the departure had been delayed, but insisted it was nothing to do with the high-profile visit.

Are we REALLY supposed to believe that ?

8 ( +10 / -2 )

A few days' delay sounds like a wonderful idea. It should make the whole problem go away.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

“We have received a report from local fishermen that they have postponed the departure from April 22 to 26 because they need more time to gather crew members,” he said.

What an extraordinary coïncidence ! President Obama is due to arrive on the 21st and leave on the 25th but the new date for the whale hunt will be the 26th ? Amazing !

5 ( +6 / -1 )

If the delay has nothing to do with Obama coming here then it shouldnt be in the title as its irrelevant. It should have said "Whale hunt delayed a few days because fishermen need more time to gather crew members." Poorly titled.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

What an extraordinary coïncidence ! President Obama is due to arrive on the 21st and leave on the 25th but the new date for the whale hunt will be the 26th ? Amazing !

My fiancee will also be going on a business trip into Tokyo for those exact dates. COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

But surely, if whaling is such a proud tradition, emblematic of the unique Japanese culture, those responsible should send the fleet off with all flags flying at the scheduled time? Skulking about until the Boss has gone could give the impression of sneaky underhandedness.

This really is pathetic. You can either be proud of a tradition, or you can do it on the sly when nobody can do anything about it. You can't do both. Unless you're a cabal of corrupt bureaucrats, answerable to no-one, particularly not the taxpayers whose money you continue to pyss away on your grubby little scheme.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

They should invite him to use one of his many drones on the hunt.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Go Japan! Way to show 'em you wont be pushed around...even if you've got increasing stockpiles of hte stuff and and a steadily decreasing market for it. That's right you show 'em who's boss! How dare they suggest that a commercial whaling industry is not scientific! Go Japan!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Go Japan Go! yep you tell them its nothing about pride and money, its your god given right to take whatever you like from the oceans, as we know Japans unique highly sophisticated culture can never be really understood by gaijin. you tell the ICJ Australia, NZ, SS that this is Japan and it is outside international norms and laws. the sooner they realise the better off theyll be. GIVE EM HELL Japan!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Impossible. The drones are reserved for killing senior Al-Qaeda leaders, more than 300 of whom have been liquidated since he came to office, finishing off a job that was utterly bungled by his bumbling predecessor.

Ugh... are you serious. The drones also killed countless innocent people, including children. Bush was bad, but Obama is no better. The war on terror was an utter mess and a mistake. There's no such thing as "war on terror" anyway. You can't wage war against terrorists.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

This is North Pacific Ocean, not South Pacific. Izakayas need whale meat for customers.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

Thats right. Izakayas need whale meat for their customers because protein is so scarce in Japan and they need their dialy allowance of mercury and its all in the name of science.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Izakayas need whale meat for customers.

Perhaps they could use the tonnes stored in freezers first??

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Speculation is speculation. Here is an article in Yomiuri at 17:49 today.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20140418-OYT1T50120.html

"PM Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga, Foreign Minister Kishida and Agricultural Minister Hayashi met in the morning of April 18, and finalized the decision to continue the research whaling in the Northern Pacific. The official announcement is to be made in the evening of the same day."

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Whalers should appeal to UN that "it is cruel to kill animal, Stop cowboying to kill cows in USA," instead of defending whaling. Vegetarians' big support they will get if vegetarians are not hypocrites. .

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

“If the research program is discontinued, our company will no doubt go bankrupt this year,” ... “We can survive if the program continues while we are recovering from the (2011 tsunami) disaster with borrowed money and government help,” Ito said.

I guess the slave owners down south said something similar.

Old customs must die. Whaling is on the worst form of life-support, spending cash on something that nobody wants.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Friday’s announcement will come as a blow to anti-whaling campaigners,

No, Friday's announcement comes as a blow to Japan's international image and reputation. Because it reinforces the notion that at its heart, Japan is a barbaric, selfish culture that really cares nothing at all about the evnironment or sustainability of precious living resources.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

More Japanese bullshit and self delusion?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Surprise surprise...

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Japan, come on. You're a great people, on the whole... but this? Sickening arrogance. Stand up say, STOP>

2 ( +5 / -3 )

So if Japan redesigns it's Antarctic program to comply with the ICJ ruling and they decide to resume, what then is left? Is Australia going to go to the ICJ again? Sea Shepherd is going to sink a whaling ship? The 2014 ICJ ruling may end up being nothing more than a one season victory that leads to a closing of that route for further action.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

The 2014 ICJ ruling may end up being nothing more than a one season victory that leads to a closing of that route for further action.

Ossan -- and, unfortunately, it sounds like you are OK with that. Or am I wrong?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

This is hilarious. I can't believe grown adults are talking about making these activities "more scientific." I wonder what that involves. Bubbling beakers of whale blood mixed with chemical reagents? More published studies.

Wonderful phrasing, JT. "More scientific," indeed.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The world is laughing at Japan. No regard for international law. Japan will pay and China will provide the wake up call.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Here is an idea to make the whale research more scientific: Stop killing the target of your research!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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