Right-wingers vow to block release of 'The Cove' in Japan

if only a handful of villages eat dolphin meat, why kill so many? as for the right-wingers - phufft.

Japan really is a country of bullies. This should be interesting to see how this plays out.

Are the right-wingers going to protest Tsutaya too when it comes out on video?

So much for free speech.

Why not let the Japanese people view the film and decide for themselves?

The rightwing idiots are giving the film more free publicity. I also think it's pretty typical of the Japanese to let people like these film makers in and do such a thing.

paulinusa, even the right wingers voicing their opinion is an act of free speech. In fact, here in Canada too, we got a dose of American Ann Coulter, at the expense of our ears. Although Canada did not grant British MP George Galloway a visa to speak in Canada [which is indeed, a violation of free speech], we allowed Coulter.

Japan too, needs more speech, not less. We must understand why right-wingers highlight the plight of 'saving Japan's national pride', staunchly opposing any moves at the International Whaling Commission to limit Japan's whaling quota. Fishing, and whaling, for that matter - is for Japan a sensitive issue, one pertaining to its own sovereignty. It was the American expanse to capture whale-oil supplies, that led America to Japan's doorstep.

By allowing the general public to view this film, with its release in June - yes, the public will decide.

so much for manipulative speech....It is interesting how you could actually have freedom to film the fishing. While there may be something to share about the culture, the slant that is given with the timing of it being developed at these times, speaks to me of some other motive.

liammorioto: Nobody says they can't protest. They want to stop the showing of the film.

even the right wingers voicing their opinion is an act of free speech>

Normally I would agree with you, but in this case, their "free speech" is an attempt to silence the free speech of others. As they say...

“We will block the distribution of the movie and we will protect this country,”

What's hilarious is they have a long history -- dating back at least to the 1920's -- of using violence to silence others. So all this talk about free speech and protection is just another excuse for their thuggish history of violent censorship.

I am member of "right wing" or nationalist group. The problem is that this movie is part of international anti-Japan campaign with whale hunting.

PrideinJapanese: That's fine, but what are you afraid of if they show this movie?

Same thugs that howl outside Korean and Chinese embassies.

Same thugs are now in Meguro. Right next to the Gajoen and right next to where I live. It was quite amusing watching the scuffles yesterday, but I fear the road will be turned into a barricade like roads around the Russian Embassy.

Japanese should be angry, that a few right wing fascists are trying to terrorize everyone into submitting to their convoluted views on what Japan is.

And I'm all for free speech, but these groups invariably resort to harassment and even violence to achieve their goals. Cursing at school children with megaphones and blocking public walkways is not free speech.

I'm curious how the protestors came to be identified as "right-wingers". Are they members of such an organization? The article does not tell us. Personally I think they can show the film, but why should anyone want to watch it? Doesn't sound like much fun.

"...protect the life, spirit and pride of its people,..." So if this is such a glorious part of Japanese culture, why not let everyone see it?

PrideinJapanese, I haven't seen this movie, but blocking it won't help Japan at all. It only makes Japan look unwilling to listen to criticism.

If I read these guys right they want to PROMOTE Japanese culture and pride by BLOCKING Japanese people from seeing what is happening in their OWN COUNTRY and forming free opinions! This is what the civilized world refers to as censorship, not freedom of speech and expression.

These right wing fanatics are the same ones who continue to deny Japanese atrocities in WWII! They deny the murder of hundreds of thousands of civilians, the rape of civilians, the existance of unit 731 and it's crimes against humanity, the plundering and colonization (by force) of other asian contries etc! They deny historical facts!

Pearl Harbor, keep your air defenses up - you never know!

ok, anyone who has been here for a while knows how these usually go, the rightwingers threaten, then the theatres that were planning to show the film will suddenly have concerns about disturbing the "wa" near their theatres & many or all will back out saying they dont want to cause confusion............

I hope the distributor & theatres have some stones & prove me wrong but I have seen this happen with events about Nanjing happens several times over the years

Jpn shud be very embarassed by these thugs but dont appear to be.

It always kills me how Jpn wants so much to be a modern player in the world but also wishes to remain extremely primitive in many ways as well stubbornly holding to things it shud let go, whaling, child porn, child abduction are a few examples.

Common sense is sorely needed!

They have the right to protest anything they want really no matter how idiotic they may be. So don't say they can't protest. You'd protest something you don't like and say that you had the right to do it so don't take away their freedom to protest or you are nothing better than these idiots are.

mikehuntez: "They have the right to protest anything they want really no matter how idiotic they may be."

Of course they have the right to protest. That's a given. But protesting is one thing; using force to FORCE your opinion on others is something else, no?

I can't understand why people like PrideinJapanese and these right-wing nuts are so scared of a movie they probably refuse to see themselves.

smithinjapan: Interesting how a few people keep insisting that some of us are against protests when nothing of the sort has been said.

smithinjapan:

Of course they have the right to protest. That's a given. But protesting is one thing; using force to FORCE your opinion on others is something else, no?

I agree. If they start throwing bottles of acid at people or ramming their soundtrucks into the film company's headquarters, they should be arrested.

In the meantime, standing around shouting is a fair protest.

Here we go again with the "attack to Japan" thing. Such a great excuse to elude any criticism and not to see what is really going on in this country.

These right wing guys apparently have a lot of time off .. but it's amazing that the police and government forces accept them and allow them to do whatever crazy stuff they want to.

The Japanese "Tea Party" is at it again!

fortunately, it is their right to protest. just hope they can keep it peaceful . seems that the majority of japanese don't, or didn't, even know about this practice of dolphin hunting. sooo, let them see the flick & decide for themselves wether or not t is is something to be proud of as stated in above article..

personally, the only "news" in this commentary is that dolphins can be suicidal!! i never could've guessed it. it opens a whole new field of interest for me, seriously!

30 comments by 9 am. this one's gonna go into three digit by noon time i say.

anyway, so long, and thanks for all the fish

paulinusa: " Interesting how a few people keep insisting that some of us are against protests when nothing of the sort has been said."

I'm really not sure what you are going on about here, unless you are one of the right-wingers, of course. My comment was in direct reponse to one posted above; I never suggested that anyone was against protesting.

hokkaidoguy: "I agree. If they start throwing bottles of acid at people or ramming their soundtrucks into the film company's headquarters, they should be arrested."

Sad part is that the police will do nothing. I guarantee it. In previous 'protests' by the black truck idiots the police just deemed it easier to tell others not to go near. Heaven forbid the police do their jobs.

The more you try to hide, the more the internet will sensationalize it so tell your part of the story - maybe some will see mitigating factors

smithinjapan: See my previous posts for my point of view.

I haven't seen the movie but I don't think that anybody has a right from stopping me. Why don't they go out and protest against child pornography?

Charge these guys with "interfering with business".

illsayit:

so much for manipulative speech....It is interesting how you could actually have freedom to film the fishing. You wont get that in places like China, where there is a tonne more of shocking treatment of animals AND people. I think the people involved around the Cove are just looking for money too. Or maybe they think now theyve approached Japan this was, that they can now approach China that way.

If you bring China into this, then let me say this. We all know China is a communist, state-run country where people have little political freedom, and risk their lives when speaking out about certain things. AND YET, you have so many who do risk their lives, speaking out at those who lose their homes unfairly, or criticizing their own government's treatment of the country's people (including ethnic minorities), etc. And as for not being allowed to film all this in China - do you not know that the crew were harassed and pursued throughout their whole stay in Japan? In fact Hayden had to rush to the airport to get the hell out of Japan.

Now, my prediction is that, as usual, the Japanese will cave in to these rightwing thugs. The public will always cower in one corner, and the government will never take any action against these rightwing groups unless they harm Japan's image in front of the world. Now, is this a so-called free country? The ordinary Chinese villagers and human rights activists has more guts than the average Japanese, apathetic and content with being spoon-fed governmental information. Japan is probably THE most successful communist country.

These are the same wacko's and nut-jobs that are in the process of re-writing Japan's history of everything, up and including WW2. God forbid if anyone really knew the truth of what really happened..

What wrong with dolphin hunting? People gotta eat.

I seem to recall a poster on another thread asserting that their was no censorship in Japan. This is an example of the bullying and attempted bullying that goes on in this country. These right wingers are just bullying scumbags, desparate to hide the truth about Japan from their own people and also from the world. Japan will never change, and is heading for the bottom of the pile.

What thundercat said.

The right wingers are the embodiment of so many different types of ignorance. One has to wonder what they ate that stunted their mental growth so much.

And here they are wanting to foster even more ignorance by blocking a film the rest of the world has seen! They want to block information so that their POV will be accepted instead of letting the Japanese people form their own opinion. And these morons say they are protecting the country? I think history proves that Japan needs their kind of Kempeitai protection like a bullet in the head!

I am all for letting these ignorants speak. They only prove their own ignorance when they open their mouths. What I am not about to tolerate is their use of force and threats over what is just a damned film. If they had any sense (and they don't) they would watch the film carefully and let everyone know what its "lies" are before they watch. Then Japanese might be angry. How can they be properly angry over a film they never saw??? Like I said, these guys are the very embodiment of ignorance. They do not welcome debate because they know they will lose a fair fight.

Sad that the populace of Japan let these morons go on un-checked. While I would love to believe that the vast majority of Japanese do not share these folks' views, I don't see any calls for them to be muzzled either. And I have to wonder why that is.

Blocking films is the same as blocking the internet .. same as communism!

gamera "What wrong with dolphin hunting? People gotta eat."

There's a heck of a lot of other things people can eat. Are they starving out of poverty and only dolphin meat is avaliable? I think not.

The uyoku-dantai is a minority that live with blinders and look to the past with rose-colored glasses. They are free to express their opinions, but the police must to keep an eye on them for avoid violence from fanatics.

Let it be shown, and let the people formulate their own opinion. The right wing fanatics are keeping Japan in primitive times.

What are they so afraid of?

Went to a hanami party last week and there was a right-winger playing his 'die for the emperor' tunes at full blast (I saw him going from his truck to a blue sheet). Literally several hundred people sitting around, unable to talk and probably unable to enjoy themselves because of ONE idiot -- and it was just a little old man. People need to speak up and tell these people off, not 'gaman suru'.

The point is to fight anger and ignorance with information. There is still free speech in Japan, isn't there? Most Japanese I know are angry... at right-wingers.

sf2k -- nice sentiment, but where's the proof? If "most Japanese" are so angry at these right-wingers, how come they act with such impunity? Sorry, actions speak louder than words, and since no one lifts so much as a finger to silence these morons, I think most Japanese are somewhat sympathetic to their "cause".

Guys, this is not about opinions, its about propaganda. Thats all. People with a pro hunt point of view don't want the anti propaganda put out. Is it really that difficult to understand? Those who made the film, want the propaganda out there, they made it to influence peoples views about hunting dolphins. So, question is, should it be shown? I really don't have care. Though as long as the dolphins aren't endangered, I don't particularly care if they're hunted.

Molenir -- that may be one of the silliest posts I've ever read on JT. Propaganda is nothing but pushing an opinion. So saying "this is not about opinions, its about propaganda" makes absolutely zero sense.

herefornow -- I take that you dont hang out much with japanese. When I see common japanese citizens near the nationalists, the majority ignore them and keep walking. If they are forced to stay near them, they can look embarrased if a foreigner look at them. If a foreigner ask to them "what is that?", some can even feign ignorance. People dont sympatize with groups that have reputation of links with yakuzas and most think that ask the help of the police is pointless, because these groups have links with conservatives in the LDP. They are "untochable-nuts".

mayhem - Blocking films is the same as blocking the internet .. same as communism!

I'm not sure if you know how true that statement is. The right-wing movement was born in the 1920's and 30's during a huge push from the communist party of Japan.

The Cove only depicts the true nature of the hunt and shows the belligerence of the government towards supplying the highly chemical tainted meat to schools. It is not culture. It is criminal! I doubt if most of these right-wing fools have even seen the movie.

um because I asked my friends

I think like the rest of the world, Japan is open to criticism.

"betraying Japanese national pride"

News to you... most countries are open to attacks on their pride. I sorta like being Australian because we well uuum... lack national pride? We're not always out there saying "OUR COUNTRY IS THE BEST!!!!" "WE MAKE THE BEST QUALITY PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD!!!" "OUR HISTORY IS WAY DEEPER THAN YOUR HISTORY!!!!"

The USA is just like Australia... the only think they take pride in is making fun of themselves (e.g. The Simpsons and Southpark)... I think part of "fitting in" is having a bit of humility.

My guess is they will be successful, and the distributor will cave.

It wouldn´t have been a commercial hit, anyway.

Why don't they just crawl off and die?

I hope more people will see this film as a result of these bigtoed idiots.

Incidently, this photo is crying out for a ch0p.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/pub/big/APBatch/20100409/20100409/3559618.jpg

Funny part is that a majority of the Right Wingers are not Japanese. Most of them have last names like Pak and Kim.

The argument which is ALWAYS put forth by some that this will put an end to the poor fishermen's livelihood is utter nonsense. I mean, true, it would put an end to this barbaric and unnecessary slaughter, but so what? If they can fist for dolphins, they can fish for any number of fish. Period. You DON'T keep on doing something just because it's been done for a long time. Were this the case, slavery would still be practiced, which no doubt some depraved persons would probably welcome.

Funny part is that a majority of the Right Wingers are not Japanese. Most of them have last names like Pak and Kim.

This, I really, really doubt.

I hope they succeed. These are poor fishermen who have been fishing this way for 400 years. Just because some Hollywood liberals say its bad the Japanese are supposed to bow down to them?

“We will block the distribution of the movie and we will protect this country,”

FYI to the right-wingers: Japan has many, many more serious problems than dolphins being killed.

Japan desperatly need a "disturbing the peace" law to stop these fanatics from intimidating people with their loudspeakers and marital music. Both publishers and film distributors have been cowed into not publishing or not showing films because of these thugs.

I don't care if the movie is shown or not. These idiots can protest all they want but don't have the right to block it outright. I don't know why some here are saying they are trying to use "force" to block it. Well if you support the movie or not it looks like both sides have their extremists.

It's not about not seeing it, it's about not allowing others to see it too. Leave it up to people to decide, but not forcing opinion. Truly irony is a word that needs re-translation in Japan.

“If the country does not protect the life, spirit and pride of its people, we will have to protect them by ourselves.”

If Taiji people does not protect the life, spirit and pride of its dolphins, we will have to protect them by ourselves."

Go on, keep the war's on!

the level of support is disproportionate to the number of people who even eat it versus those who do not support this activity in the slightest. Methinks thou doth protest too much

sf2k----the level of support is disproportionate to the number of people who even eat it versus those who do not support this activity in the slightest. Methinks thou doth protest too much

sf2k, I am not sure what the Flipper (famous American sea mammal actor) you are saying. "The level of support (I guess you are referring to Japanese who do not support eating sea mammals) "is disproportionate to the number of people of who even eat it" [continuing on with the ambiguity] "versus those who do not support this activity in the slightest-close quotes. when you say the level of supportERs is disproportionate I guess you are referring to either a: the first group i.e. Japanese who do not support eating sea mammals or b: those who do not support the activity of scaring and herding dolphins into a small cove and bashing their brains out before the slaughtering and eating them. Shakespeare would be proud of your quote if not your communication ability.

Those right wingers are laughable. Show the movie and show Japanese people what archaic, horrific practices are happening in their backyard.

These guys really need to think things out. The right approach would be to dampen some of the sympathy people have for dolphins.

The Cove is just another attempt by some foreigners who think that their views and culture is holier and more civilised than thou and trying hard to shove their opinions and way of life down on others throats. Stop bullying the villagers of Taiji. Leave them in peace. To the Taiji people, I just want you to know that there are many foreigners who support and respect your way of life and tradition.

The Cove is just another attempt by some foreigners who think that their views and culture is holier and more civilised than thou and trying hard to shove their opinions and way of life down on others throats. There is no Aryan Race in the animal kingdom and to hold the notion that some animals are cuter and more intelligent than others to be slaughted or consumed is hypocritical. Stop bullying the villagers of Taiji. Leave them in peace. To the Taiji people, I just want you to know that there are many foreigners who support and respect your way of life and tradition.

I think the problem isnt killing the dolphins as lots are taken else where in Jpn etc, its simply the cruel brutality of how its done thats offensive in taiji.

There is simply no need for the suffering the taiji dolphins endure before death. IMO people can eat what they want as long as they kill the animals as quickly & humanely as possible, this is a huge problem in Jpn & through Asia, people for the most part just dont care about animals suffering unnecessarily, just doesnt enter their way of thinking.

Oh and if the animals in question are being over exploited then they need to be protected, again this is another big problem in this part of the world, endangered species is a concept many cant fathom

Is there some way to raise dolphins domestically? Would they taste as good as the free range strain?

The right-wingers are the same useless idiots, in japan, america or whereever. Every country has it's dark sides and Taiji is surely only one of it when it comes to Japan (besides many good sides). Why just don't accept it, that the world thinks it's cruel what happens there? I can't hear it anymore, national pride, pahh. But not pride enough to fight the real problems in the country...

Midnightpromise said: Is there some way to raise dolphins domestically? Would they taste as good as the free range strain?

So you suggest taking their freedom as well as their lives? My God but people can be absolutely selfish!

Moderator: All readers back on topic please. The subject is the distribution of "The Cove" in Japan.

JTodayIsCowards, Please do not mixup people's comments with dolphins. BTW, I would not show the cove here without some sort of intro, where the producer is stated to have put in some Hollywood/story telling effects, for effect. It is just a town that might consider doing thing differently. People have a tendency to generalize to populations, as we often see here in Japan about foreigners. Is it a balanced documentary?

I don't think many people will actually want to watch this trash anyway.

Yep, the truth can be very trashy, and wow....the way these mammals are slaughtered could very well be described as trashy.

As someone above pointed out, it's the brutal inhumane way these acts are carried out in japan as well as many other asian nations that are the problem. I am wondering why these people are so very anti showing this doco to the japanese public. Whatever you think of the way this movie is directed or the manner in which it is presented....it is the truth, dolphins do die in an horrific and cruel way.

You can protest and scream and shout as much as you want, but the truth is the truth, and this, like many other inhumane acts against animals and wildlife around the world...is wrong!

Bring it on!

All they will do is drive interest to see the film up. Got to love the rightwing (no matter what nation), they usually do more harm to what ever goals/ideas that they try to support than any number of opposition groups ever could.

“We will block the distribution of the movie and we will protect this country,” Nishimura said.

Have the police arrested Mr Nishimura yet on charges of threatening behaviour, interfering with legitimate business activity, racketeering etc? If not, why not?

Right wingers are more often amusing than truly dangerous. Especially the chubby nut jobs I see driving around in their vans playing 1930's nationalist songs.

Threats should be illegal and these guys should be fined for making them. But in the end JHansen is right, they will just bring more and more attention to the film and futher underline the out of step position of Japan on the world stage.

They are hardly aware of the contradictions with their identities and behavior. It's ludicrous to call them 'activists.'

Show the movie! See the movie! Only then we can talk about it....

some people really afraid of the truth, but not afraid to do it(in the dark).

they

demanding that the gory portrayal of dolphin hunting in Japan not be shown in the country.

but then

urging the Japanese to “be angry.”

why not think that the documentary help promote your tradition then let the viewer decide rather than blind them, then ask for their action which i am wondering. will it be based on...what? base on the information people has never receive?

The fact that they are so up in arms about The Cove shows how much they have to hide.

I downloaded in on iTunes and the way the fishermen go about the slaughter is revolting and grotesque - no wonder they don't want it being seen. Dolphins are seriously intelligent creatures that they're just corralling and harpooning them without pity. And the fact that they also tried to pass off dolphin meat as other fish despite its massively unhealthy levels of mercury just defies belief. It is right that the film be shown - why shouldn't it be?

We have the right to watch THE COVE, the idiot, racist right wingers in Japan, are fools. They think the will scare away people from watching this movie? Just like they try to scare politicians if the price is right? We should all go out and watch this movie, just to piss of the racist right wing!

I don't see anything wrong with eating dolphins or whales, but blocking this movie from showing is against Japanese constituion and wrong.Everybody has the right to speak up.

“Traitor! Money scavenger! Shame on you!”

LOL. No one pledges allegiance to paranoiac right wingers for producing the discourse of utilitarianism through a false sense of patriotism and anti-racism rhetoric. It's about the ethical issue on consumption culture in the second-largest economy.

Freedom of speech?

We have the right to watch it. But we don't have the right to block what happens in Taiji either. No matter how disgusting we think it is. This is where foreigners have overstepped their welcome in that area and that is why the right wingers are upset with the outside interference that always says how wrong the Japanese are.