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Japanese ships leave for 'research whaling' in Antarctic Ocean

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Research my butt! I live to see the day when the Nissin-Maru is scuttled and turn into coffee cans.

18 ( +37 / -19 )

I saw some of that "research whaling meat" for sale to the public in Osaka

11 ( +28 / -17 )

Love it... on the same day Abe is going around telling other nations not to fish illegally and have their coast guards (which he personally allowed to travel into international waters, illegally, on the whaling ships) reign in people illegally fishing. You can't make this stuff up, except in calling it "research" when it is anything but, and Japan the laughing stock on the world stage when it comes to this issue and their attempts at extortion.

8 ( +29 / -21 )

Well, well, well...

As they declared "the science is in" at the last IWC meeting, I thought research wouldn't be needed anymore ! Hypocrisy much ?

10 ( +27 / -17 )

As time goes by....

Issues stay the same.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Makes yesterday's news seems stupid https://japantoday.com/category/crime/japan-u.s.-to-help-pacific-island-nations-counter-illegal-fishing

9 ( +23 / -14 )

The Japanese government is yet to realize that while they can sell lies in bulk to their own people, the rest of the world can see through their childish BS. Japan's preposterous actions in the world's oceans are only damaging what's left of its floundering reputation among the G7 nations.

13 ( +30 / -17 )

Anyone going to the fish markets and participate in the taste testing market research?

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

Japan double think.

-4 ( +11 / -15 )

Looks like the 'RESEARCH' sign has grown this year...sensitive to pressure.

1 ( +14 / -13 )

Not again. When will this travest end? The oceans need the whales more than this lame exericize in spending Tohoku relief funds.

-1 ( +14 / -15 )

There is no justification for Japan's commercial whaling, which this is. It's also Japan sticking a finger up at us and being bloody-minded (but having to hide miles out in the oceans hoping no-one will see them). Whaling traditions (bo***cks!).

0 ( +14 / -14 )

Stay safe and good luck

-2 ( +17 / -19 )

No problem with this!

-3 ( +16 / -19 )

So WHERE are these research results? Do they have any national / institutional backing? Are they part of a respected corpus of valuable scientific knowledge that will contribute to the preservation of the species???

I think this is a load of fiction. Lies, in fact.

Cary Elcome,

living in (whale flesh eating) Japan

-1 ( +12 / -13 )

I saw some of that "research whaling meat" for sale to the public in Osaka

The regulations require that whales caught for research be processed.

As they declared "the science is in" at the last IWC meeting, I thought research wouldn't be needed anymore ! Hypocrisy much ?

Yes, Japan claimed the science is in but the IWC disagreed. So obviously the IWC doesn't believe the science is in and thus more research is needed. Also even if 'the science is in' being living creatures and part of the ecosystem things change and so ongoing research would still be required.

but having to hide miles out in the oceans hoping no-one will see them

Well that is where the whales are. It isn't like they can conduct whaling in Tokyo Harbor.

So WHERE are these research results? Do they have any national / institutional backing? Are they part of a respected corpus of valuable scientific knowledge that will contribute to the preservation of the species???

In multiple scientific journals. Yes. Where do you get the idea that the only acceptable reason for research on a species is to contribute to its preservation?

6 ( +18 / -12 )

Dead whales are votes for the LDP. Meanwhile, the freezers are cramped with whale meat. It is not researched and barely eaten.

-5 ( +10 / -15 )

Huh, I always thought it was spelled POACHING, not RESEARCH.

-1 ( +14 / -15 )

"Research whaling",

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The Sea Shepherd vessels should treated as an enemy ship if they start any more trouble. I an nervous Paul Watson will be waiting on the high seas. I would prefer if Japan sent 2 Maritime Self Defense Vessells as protection for the research ship and the Scientists on it.

All the best to Yushin Maru 3 for a successful and safe research trip.

-3 ( +16 / -19 )

@Dom Palmer - Yes, Japan claimed the science is in but the IWC disagreed. So obviously the IWC doesn't believe the science is in and thus more research is needed. Also even if 'the science is in' being living creatures and part of the ecosystem things change and so ongoing research would still be required.

Nice try Dom Palmer, but your patronising comment does not make sense. Japan claims the 'lethal research' is to examine stomach contents and to examine the inner ear to age the populations. However, the main claim they make about their legal research is to prove commercial whaling is viable (for them) in the southern oceans. This seems to have been left out of your patronising comment.

-4 ( +11 / -15 )

The institute for crustacean research publishes the data (measurements and the like) right on its website, in English. You can peruse the numbers on your phone as you munch on that delicious whale sushi.

2 ( +14 / -12 )

Japan kills whales to find out how many whales they can kill. They also want to kill more whales, to find out if they can kill all of the whales, They also slaughter endangered whales, to see if they really are enadangered. This classes as logic for some, although the rest of the world finds it puzzling. They should point their 'research' towards their consumers; if they did this, they'd realize they can cut out the killing whales bit altogether and we'd all be better off.

0 ( +15 / -15 )

Steer clear of NZ captain, you may find yourself in a whole lot of trouble entering the EZ there bro...

-5 ( +9 / -14 )

If only they could be believed. How many years have they been ‘researching’? Any results ever published? Any major finds other than whale meat still is a decent source of income? That’s the research: how much can they still make?

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

The Sea Shepherd vessels should treated as an enemy ship if they start any more trouble. I an nervous Paul Watson will be waiting on the high seas. I would prefer if Japan sent 2 Maritime Self Defense Vessells as protection for the research ship and the Scientists on it.

Do you not think that the Admiralty have not got more important things to be doing?

0 ( +7 / -7 )

It is not researched and barely eaten.

There are plenty of published papers and the yearly response from the IWC Scientific Committee thanking them for the research data that proves otherwise. And if it isn't eaten, then lift the moratorium and allow commercial whaling of appropriate species. With it 'barely eaten' there will be no incentive for any commercial company to hunt them and the numbers killed should drop.

Huh, I always thought it was spelled POACHING, not RESEARCH.

So you got to learn something today.

Japan claims the 'lethal research' is to examine stomach contents and to examine the inner ear to age the populations.

No, Japan says those are just two of the things they collect data on.

However, the main claim they make about their legal research is to prove commercial whaling is viable (for them) in the southern oceans. This seems to have been left out of your patronising comment.

It wasn't 'left out' of my comment. It has nothing to do with my comment. Japan does claim that their research has shown that commercial whaling is viable, the IWC says they don't have enough data to perform a review of the moratorium. Ergo, more research most be needed.

Steer clear of NZ captain, you may find yourself in a whole lot of trouble entering the EZ there bro...

They never have and never plan on hunting in the NZ EZ bro. And, just any ship can they are ensured free passage through the NZ EZ.

If only they could be believed. How many years have they been ‘researching’? Any results ever published? Any major finds other than whale meat still is a decent source of income? That’s the research: how much can they still make?

As the article says, since 1987. Yes, lots of results published. Depends on what you consider major finds, also the aim isn't for major finds.

4 ( +15 / -11 )

Where may one view all of the past "research?"

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

This should be illegal. Conservation of the oceans has to start somewhere, and it should start with extraterritorial waters of Antarctica. No one can claim any ancestor rights there

-5 ( +10 / -15 )

Where may one view all of the past "research?"

The ICR website provides a list of published papers, including links for some of them.

This should be illegal.

That is your opinion and as of yet it isn't illegal.

Conservation of the oceans has to start somewhere, and it should start with extraterritorial waters of Antarctica. No one can claim any ancestor rights there

I haven't heard of anyone claiming 'ancestor rights'. As extraterritorial waters the UN basically says any nation can collect the resources.

4 ( +13 / -9 )

333 whales killed for 'research". What a hubris.

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

When the Japanese newspaper has "Research whaling" in quotes you know nobody is thinking there is research going on. Japan your own newspaper isn't toeing the line.

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

Look how beautiful we are citizens of this planet; apparently in 40 years we have killed 60% of wildlife on Earth, and some people manage to say "there's no problem with this"!

https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/living-planet-report-2018#

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

Maybe it's not just for dinner plate. There must be something cureness for human in whale that Japanese are hiding. Something related to medicine or other resources that is making good business and good life.

(Westerners should also speak out to ban every zoos in the world)

-21 ( +0 / -21 )

is there any other ship that you know of that has the word research painted in huge letters on the side do you think that is fooling anyone if you believe that there's a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Why can’t Japan just say we disagree with the law; we will continue to hunt and eat whales?

Honesty is important to the Japanese.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

BackpackingNepal - Maybe it's not just for dinner plate. There must be something cureness for human in whale that Japanese are hiding. Something related to medicine or other resources that is making good business and good life.

Yes, and perhaps they are using the DNA samples of whales to secretly genetic engineer a whale that can fly.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

quercetum hahaha, haven't been here long, have you? fyi, honestly means next to nothing to the japanese, there are far more important thing to worry about.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Hmm, it must be legit, the ship says RESEARCH in big white letters.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Why can’t Japan just say we disagree with the law; we will continue to hunt and eat whales?

Honesty is important to the Japanese.

Well first off there really isn't a law against it. It is a regulation of the IWC, a voluntary organization, and Japan is following the exception allowed by the regulations.

But further they HAVE repeatedly said they disagree with the regulation and are trying (again within the overall regulations) to get the IWC to review the moratorium on commercial whaling. The moratorium includes a requirement to review whale species by 1990 and periodically thereafter, yet they refuse to even do that initial review.

So who is that isn't following the law (regulation) and who isn't being honest?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Research! Japan does what it wants, when it wants and sticks two fingers up at all other nations. They pillage the oceans of everything. If it has a pulse they kill it. Shameful nation that has no respect for animals.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Japan does what it wants, when it wants and sticks two fingers up at all other nations.

Japan follows the IWC's regulations, while most of the IWC refuses to meet their obligation to conduct the review of the moratorium that was due in 1990 and that they agreed to.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Its amazing nobody can see by now this is how they are with damn near everything! They put a deceitful label over things to go under the radar and blend in. Abroad and domestically. What is just as scary is now these days, they have so many gaijin who adore and worship them now, they can get away with it in the open!! times have changed...and for the worst.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Japan's whaling fleet is banned from entering any Indonesian, Australian and New Zealand's ports. Their "research" whaling has been debunked numerous times and called unnecessary as Niwa has done non lethal research to get the same information as the Japanese have obtained over the years. Glenn inwood is the New Zealand spokes person for Japanese Whaling and has said on several occasions that the Japanese are not interested in doing research but want to keep whaling because they need food " security" and dont want to stop because in the future will need whales as a food source. It's much harder to resume Whaling once a country has stopped. Everyone knows the research is bogus. Especially when their own spokes person is calling it bogus. Anyone who comes on here and says its legitimate doesnt have a clue.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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