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© 2012 AFPActivists hurl stink bombs, paint at Japanese whalers
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© 2012 AFP
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Mr Sushi
Where is the added security?.... Arrest these eco-terrorists and sink all of their ships!
cleo
No mention of the JCG throwing stun grenades?
http://www.majiroxnews.com/2012/01/12/japanese-whalers-hurl-stun-grenades-at-sea-shepherd/
NetNinja
Give em HELL!!
jojo_in_japan
Lethal research must end now. This loophole must be corrected. I am ashamed to call myself Japanese ... we are a nation governed by hypocrites.
ebisen
I'm sure the Japanese have at least a bit of fun with this :)
Job Description: Whale Hunter
Main Responsibilities: Hose-Spraying ice-cold sea water at Sea Sheppard activists.
jojo_in_japan
Cleo, Thanks for the heads up. I'm sure JT failure to mention stun grenades thrown at SS was just an 'oversight' wink wink .. nod nod.
Hide Suzuki
@Cleo How do we know tha they actually did that ? Paul Watson pretended and claimed that he got shot in the chest by the whalers in the past when he wasn't.
Those SS guys will do anything including lying to get attention, as they are attention whores as described in the south park episode " Whales Whores" You guys should check it out, it's pretty funny
kwatt
Guys love playing water. It seems that they are rather enjoying ice cold water shower hosed by whalers than throwing things to them.
arrestpaul
The Japanese Coast Guard reported that a Sea Shepherd inflatable boat was attempting to disrupt whaling and two members of the Guard threw stun grenades at them in an attempt to drive them off.
That's odd, the SM2 isn't whaling and it isn't a whaling vessel. Why would the JCG say that the attack on the SM2 was an attempt to disrupt whaling when it wasn't whaling?
Your article sounds like yet another propaganda piece from a pro-violence, eco-terrorist SS supporter. I'll wait for confirmation.
The bottomline is that everyone has a right to defend themselves from attack. The eco-terrorist SS are attacking a security vessel and the JCG are DEFENDING themselves. Again.
Dennis Bauer
hey that is loitering!
tkoind2
Hide Suzuki, and how do we know that what the whalers say is true? You need to be a little more neutural in evaluating news.
Mr. Sushi. I think there are many people world wide who hold the same disdain for the whalers and wish their vessils "reigned in" or better still mothballed and scuttled.
The bottom line is this.
You have two sides in conflict here. Both believe they are righteous in their actions. Both seem intent upon continuning their actions. They mutually agree that the other must be undone.So what more would any rational person expect, but for this struggle to continue until one side prevails? May as well get used to this very clear reality.
I for one am hoping for and betting on the activists. The Japanese whalers are up against greater negative world opinion, declining support in Japan, increasing cost and economic pressure and the likelihood of changes in policy from key nations. Betting on Japan in this conflict is a fool's bet.
Fadamor
Interesting. "Anybody who doesn't agree with me must be getting paid by the people I don't agree with." As if it were entirely inconceivable that someone might side with your opposition without some sort of bribe. What's it like to never have an incorrect opinion? On second thought, don't answer that. What you've already posted speaks volumes about you.
As for the "illegal" whaling:
In 1946, the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling codified the set of rules that the signatories were going to abide by. Australia's representative was Francis F. Anderson and he/she signed it along with all the others. One of the articles Mr./Ms. Anderson signed-off on was Article VIII - and item 1 in that article states:
Rather than hurling stink bombs and putting their people at risk, here's a novel idea... Change the rules in the Whaling Commission so lethal research is outlawed. I guess that doesn't get enough headlines for the Sea Schlepers, though, so they'd never go for that.
Hide Suzuki
@tkoind2 "how do we know that what the whalers say is true?"
Again, Paul Watson pretended and claimed that he got shot in the chest by the whalers in the past when he wasn't. This is a fact . That's more than enough for me to believe the whalers over the SS guys.
Also they sent two guys to board on the whalers boat and claimed that "Our members have been illegally captured by the Japanese whalers" Are you kidding ? They got into the whaler's boat by themselves and claimed that that they got captured illegally!!!! And you still believe the SS guys over the whalers ? You are the one who needs to be neutural.
crustpunker
JoJo-The best way to get over that feeling is to be proactive and fight for your future!!!!! Do something about it and try to make a difference! Make your voice heard!!! It's what anyone in the KuJo clan would do after all ;)
Maitake
“The Institute of Cetacean Research” ?? LOL
smithinjapan
“The Institute of Cetacean Research strongly condemns the Sea Shepherd and its continued dangerous and violent actions against Japanese vessels and crews in the Antarctic,”
Not as dangerous as throwing stun grenades and firing sonic weapons at helicopters! Not to mention the water canons. If anyone is violent here, it's the whalers.
smithinjapan
Hide Suzuki: " That's more than enough for me to believe the whalers over the SS guys."
I would say that's more than enough for you NOT to believe in Watson. The whalers have told plenty of lies as well, the biggest one being, of course, that the primary reason for whaling is science.
Rev Head
The SS operate under a Pirate flag so they are nothing more than illegal themselves, and the bone heads they get to go on the voyage with them are just cannon fodder. I wonder how much mony is spent by both sides in total on this and if it could be used elsewhere more needing
tkoind2
".....attempts at cultural imperialism."
Yes and we have all seen the ancient Japanese cave drawings of long distance whaling fleets headed off to the Antarctic to carry out "research". I think Mifune must of made at least a dozen movies about the Samurai who also took ships to the Antactic for research. And let's not forget the Tokogawa government's commitment to whale research.
Give me a break.
In Washington State there are tribes who can show thousands of years of whale hunting culture. And yet, these communities have intelligently agreed to limit their huts to either ritual re-enactments or to one whale a year. Now why can't Japan do something like that.
Further the "culture" argument does not hold water anyway. Cultures evolve and rituals replace no longer tenable actions. It is time for Japan to join the 21st century and do what they already do for thousands of other cultural activities, celebrate and respect them while doing no harm.
cleo
Because it's the JCG reporting it?
nath
How many whales are being harvested by Japan annually? Around 2000? And, are the whales endangered? No.
As for the arguments about water cannons, stun grenades, ropes, etc. Which side uses tools or weapons aimed to disable and eventually do some damage?
And about the legality, wasn't it SSCS personnel who obtained visas without even satisfying the requirements for the visas?
Hide Suzuki
@Smith san I totally agree, their claim that it's for scientific research is ridiculous. I don't know of anyone, Japanese or not, who believe that.
@cleo Maybe I am asking too much from you. Even if they did fight back, so what ? They are not actively looking for a fight. The SS guys are provoking the whalers, what are they supposed to do ? Just stand still and be attacked ?
Have you heard of something called self defense ?
megosaa
for blubber sake... can't they just leave the whalers alone???! i don't care who says what but they are terrorists!! terrorizing them whalers. because of cultural differences they should deprive the japanese their ancient old diet? i dont think the japanese are foolish enough to deplete and over harvest anything. its like saying not to chop any more trees, use your hanky to wipe your b ut t.
genji17
One day the illegally interfering SS will push the line to far. Stun grenades were more than likely in self defense as the whaling research boats are the ones being attacked.
soldave
Dammit, smithinjapan. Y u always write what I want to before me? ;)
yokohamageezer
Stink bombs... what's the deal with that... they're on the ocean.. I can't imagine the 'smell' would hang around much out there? Ditto paint..... anyway, sock it to them boys...... lying, cheating, deceitful, whale 'researching' (my rusty star fish), earthquake budget spending........ who eats this stuff anyway?
gogogo
This story reads like Japan is the victim here, trying to play on national sentiment after March 11, this whole PR campaign from Japan leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth.
MaboDofuIsSpicy
They are eco-terroists period. Sink their damn ships.
Martin007
As an Australian, I would like to express my regret to the Japanese people for the inaction of the Australian Government in doing their uppermost to stop Sea Shepherd from interfering with the whalers.
Martin007
I feel ashamed to be Australian. The Aussie Government should prevent Sea Shepherd from entering Australian ports.
kazetsukai
I am glad that this discussion group is at least trying to stay on the subject.
The key issue here is the TACTICS and the DANGERS and the related WHALING issues.
The important thing is for one to consider IF SUCH TACTICS are really useful, needed, meaningful, effective, etc. and if that will really help to assure the saving of whale population (if that is the reason).
And the key appears to be the REASONING behind the actions.
It has been discussed that all of the tactics are to:
Get more donations by 2. exciting the donors 3. getting public attention and exposure 4. keeping the conservation organization active and so forth.Obviously the tactics are NOT effective otherwise to actually "save" the whales.
And it is also obvious that their conservation efforts have NOT been publicly accepted that their so called "other" conservation efforts that are "effective" and "meaningful". That put some doubt into their "INTENTIONS" and underlying "MOTIVATIONS".
As I have been relating before:
The KEY to the whole thing is HOW TO LIMIT WHALING OR TO END IT ALL TOGETHER IF THAT WAS POSSIBLE OR WARRANTED.
There are two ways now available that comes to mind.
One is to STOP IT AT THE SOURCE by:
REPLACING THE NEED to conduct whaling by ALL nations by funding programs to change occupations, diets of consumers and the use of whale by-products.
Replacing all the industries that are related to and benefit from whaling and whale by-products.The Second it to ENFORCE what ever laws that can be created by whatever means available, provided the laws and the methods of enforcement are "acceptable" to ALL concerned.
It is almost like trying to stop the burning of the AMAZON forests or to stop our so called Global warming.
The funny thing is the scientific community that we would like to trust have not really come with definitive data or solutions to whale conservation as with the Amazon forests and global warming. And the international laws are not necessarily rational but more politically and economically motivated to benefit the country which has the "least" negative impact from those laws.
So what do you say to those ideas and what are the best routes to resolving the problem with such violent tactics endangering those involved?
OssanAmerica
No news there cleo. They have thrown flash grenades every season, along with the water canons to try and keep the eco-terrorists away since they don't heed the verbal warning to move away.
cleo
They are travelling half way around the world in a fleet of ships into waters where they have been officially told they are not welcome, is that isn't actively looking for a fight I don't know what is. What are they supposed to do? Go home and get proper jobs, and stop wasting my tax yen.
MaboDofuIsSpicy
Excellent Martin. I gave you thumbs up and totally agree with you. SS is a terrorist group. Eventually they will kill someone with their actions. I look forward to that day to see them all arrested and thrown in jail for life.
OssanAmerica
Nope you're completely wrong as usual. The Reseach Whalers aren't chasing after the Sea Sheperd ships and harassing them. Everything they do is to defend themselves from the attackers.
kazetsukai
For those who relate to laws and wandering why the "negative" view of laws?
It appears that other than a small portion of "constitutional" laws in a few countries, MOST laws are to "stop, prevent, prohibit, etc." and very few actually encourage "positive or good" activity or action. And such laws are often "directed" at "specific" entities which the more powerful groups/s who by "justifications" good or bad want to "control" for their benefit.
The problem with those laws are usually also designed with "loopholes" to allow "interpretations" by attorneys, etc. to give "escape routes" to those who created them.
So in the case with whaling... the real solution may be at getting at the source........
LH10
wow really? how mature, i really hate these protesters -_- leave the japanese boats alone, they've been killing sea mammals for so long, why do they care now?!. baka Activists! JAPAN FIGHT!!
OnlyAGaijin
Don't you Love The 'Soft Cock' approach to the situation - NOT!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-13/sea-shepherd-activists-throw-acid-at-whalers/3770752
OnlyAGaijin
To 'cleo' thanks for the link about the whalers throwing stun grenades!
OssanAmerica
Further the "culture" argument does not hold water anyway. Cultures evolve and rituals replace no longer tenable actions. It is time for Japan to join the 21st century and do what they already do for thousands of other cultural activities, celebrate and respect them while doing no harm.
Cultural Imperialism means imposing one's own cultural beliefs and standards on others. That is exactly what the anti-whaling nations are doing. In contrast, the nations that whale and eat whales not not encourage any other countries to engage in whaling or eat whales. Your declaration of what "Japan must do" is irrefutable evidence that anti-whalers are excercising cultural imperialisam.
OnlyAGaijin
MaboDofuIsSpicyJan. "Excellent Martin. I gave you thumbs up and totally agree with you. SS is a terrorist group. Eventually they will kill someone with their actions. I look forward to that day to see them all arrested and thrown in jail for life.
Which tool used in the current battle is more likely to kill some one - The SS stink Bombs or the Whalers 'Stun Grenades'? Duh!
delrennich
Close the loophole that allows them to conduct such 'research.' Japanese are too proud to think that what they are doing is wrong. It's called narrow-mindedness that is the result of a lifetime of brainwashing by the central government. I know, the truth is upsetting.
tkoind2
Ossan. I know what cultural imperialism means. But you are making a bold assumption that research whaling is part of Japan's "culture". It isn't.
Cultural imperialism implies that there is an attempt at replacing or erasing Japan's culture. But my example of Native Americans in the NW proves that adaptation to change is possible with the preservation of culture.
Like all other global cultures, things change and we must evolve. When something is no longer tenable, we find other ways to retain our cultural integrity. Your view ignores this obvious fact.
Now, if you can prove that research whaling is indeed a deeply entrenched Japanese cultural icon, then please do so. But if just whaling for culture is the case here, then why is it carried out in a fashion not supported by historical cutlure dating back any farther than a couple hundred years or less?
You and your whaling friends cannot define this as culture. And you cannot defend retention of this as a cultural activity.
cleo
What was the SM2 doing in the waters offshore of Fremantle ? It just happened to be there? It was lost, maybe? Ditto the Yushin Maru 3 in territorial waters - it wasn't chasing a SS boat? Just out for a bit of R&R, were they?
The best way they can defend themselves is do what they did last year - give up and go home.
Hide Suzuki
@cleo
Yes, they should go home and get a productive job, if it's even possible (I mean the SS guys). "they have been officially told they are not welcome" Who told the whalers not to come ? In case you didn't know, Australian governmetn has no right no tell anyone where they can catch what, unless they go within 200 miles from Australian territory.
Other than that, whalers don't need to listen to them. And the SS guys attack them as if it's their territory. They are nothing but eco terrorists, you should recognize them as they are.
moomoochoo
How low can you go?
I can't believe people are actually cheering Sea Shepherd on. Take a step back and look at what they have done.
OnlyAGaijin
marcelito - cleo 'Spot On cleo" < I second that - But I don't think anyone should condone the use of those type of weapons used by both sides - Two wrongs don't make it right!
Moderator
Readers, please keep the discussion civil. Neither side has the moral high ground on this issue.
Moderator
Readers, please refrain from bickering.
j4p4nFTW
I don't think that sort of thing needs to be discussed in public. However, it is clearly in self defense, as the Japanese fishermen are being attacked by a terrorist group that is determined to cut off a part of Japan's food supply.
nath
Marcelito.
What do the anti-whalers get out of spending hours posting here daily. Don't they already give monies to the SSCS, etc.
As was said people feel strongly on both sides that don't mean the posters are hired or paid for. I am not and I could use the money, who pays more the Whalers or the SSCS?
cleo
Rubbish. They're there to do scientific research, remember. They're not there to catch food for the table. Honest. Nothing at all to do with trying to make a profit out of selling the stuff. It's perfectly legal™ research. Remember that. Research. Call it part of Japan's food supply and you're calling the Japanese government, the icr, the JCG and the intrepid 'scientists' on board the mother ship liars.
Mmm.
Heda_Madness
There's been a discussion recently as to whether the SS are eco terrorists. But I think it's fair to say that a group that goes to the Antarctic ocean with the express purpose of throwing glass bottles, paint and other non bio degradable materials can not be called Eco anything.
Guess that just makes them terrorists then...
tkoind2
Yes Heda everyone is a terrorist. Everyone.
ihope2eatwhales
Yes tkoind2, everyone throws glass bottles, paint and other non bio degradable materials at other people and their property. Everyone.
Heda_Madness
Well you can't call someone an environmental group when they will fully and intentionally pollute the area can you?
Cletus
OssanAmerica
Actually you could also claim what Japan is doing is a form of cultural imperialism as well. So really to use cultural imperialism in this argument is a no win situation. Both sides have an opinion Japan wants to whale and ignores other countries objections, other countries want Japan to stop whaling as they want to be progressive and protect the whales. Neither side is really being culturally imperialistic they are just having differing opinions. However in the end one side has to back down or this situation will continue to escalate and unfortunately while the behaviour of SS isnt the best the Japanese in the past week or so have got even lower with their actions in Australian waters. The best outcome would be if Japan ceased its whaling until the ICJ ruling and we went from their.
Cletus
Heda_Madness
So you say throwing glass and paint into the ocean makes you a terrorist? What would you call the act of deliberately dumping hundreds of tons of radioactive water into the ocean? Which is worse? a few glass jars or a substance that will pollute for hundreds of years? So if throwing jars makes you a terrorist the surely you would say Japan are terrorists for their actions to. Oh and lets not forget the concussion grenades the state sponsored terrorists throw at the protestors.
moomoochoo
The people who fund Sea Shepherd aren't going to stop with the whales. They only target them, because it is the easiest to gain popular opinion with.
arrestpaul
According to the article, the eco-terrorist Watson once again resorted to physically attack the SM2 because it was following him. Not because the SM2 was whaling.
The Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson has admitted trying to interfere with the boat. "I'm trying to get these guys off our backs, they're chasing ... they've chased us now 2,000 miles," he said.
The Munya Times
Stink bombs and paint against LRAD, and stun grenades.
There are two kind of stink bombs. One of them is a military class weapon, already developed for the military and still under intensive development. Not used actively yet. Those stink bombs are harmful and extremely effective, can cause serious mental failing, distraction, fits, paralyzing the victims and causes a long lasting loss of acting capabilities, that needs medical attention
The rotten butter the SSCS uses has a penetrating unpleasant stink but harmless even when contacting the skin. It can be purchased legally and if I am not mistaken is used for fishing among others.
Paint is not that bad, it might make the whalers' life a bit more colorful.
Nothing serious or harmful for the time being until the Japanese security ships will swing into action.
Heda_Madness
No, I don't think it makes them a terrorist. That part of my post was very tongue in cheek but the fact that it is their intent to throw non biodegradable contents into the ocean makes them non environmental as well. No wonder Greenpeace distances themselves from them.
Yet again I'm surprised at our their supporters will happily turn a blind eye at this. Unless of course when you're walking down your local street you just toss your rubbish wherever is most convenient for you?
Heda_Madness
The discharge of any oil or oily mixture, bulk chemicals or garbage from a ship is prohibited in Antarctica
What is paint?
Other waste generated on ships is stored on board until it can be disposed of outside Antarctica. Shredders are used to process glass and small metal waste.
How do they dispose of glass?
Disillusioned
My sentiments exactly! It is odd how Australia's complaint to the J-Gov about the whaling ship entering Australian waters off Macquarie Island never made it into Japanese news.
How is this a solution? Is there a billion dollar industry built around watching cows? Have any governments poured millions of dollars into cow conservation? Are cows killed by having a grenade launched into their head? I am sorry, but I fail to see any comparison.
nath
@The Munya Times
I think you forgot this part:
Jamming a rudder and propeller is serious stuff considering the environmental factors down there. Several days ago, when SSCS spotted the first ship, I do believe that "ropes and wires" have been used.
arrestpaul
I would say it's the use of the eco-terrorist scows to ram other vessels. How many Japanese vessels does the eco-terrorist Watson brag about ramming? At least 4 isn't it?
Everyone has a right to DEFEND themselves from attack.
The Dutch should be ashamed of themselves for allowing the eco-terrorist vessel Steve Irwin to operate under Neatherlands protection.
Heda_Madness
ADK99
They're throwing paint and rancid butter at a ship. Unless one feels that this is striking terror into the hearts of the whalers then the word the word is inappropriate, and puts the Sea Shepherd people alongside suicide bombers, kidnappers and murderers. A little bit of perspective wouldn't go amiss.
Disillusioned
Here is as interesting article rom an Australian newspaper about why Japan hunts whales. It will not make the pro-whalers very happy though.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/deep-fears-drive-japanese-whaling-20120112-1pwzx.html
The Munya Times
@Elvensilvan
No, I did not forget, I mentioned this issue in my previous post of The Munya TimesJan. 12, 2012 - 05:37PM JST
arrestpaul
It's not "rotten butter". They are throwing glass bottles of butyric acid. Butyric acid smells similar to rotten butter. Why is this fact so difficult for pro-violence, eco-terrorist SS supporters to understand or is "admit" the proper word? Even the eco-terrorist Watson admits that they're throwing butyric acid. Are some people ashamed to admit that the eco-terrorist are throwing butyric acid?
MaboDofuIsSpicy
Pro whaler here. Give me thumbs up if you are too.
MaboDofuIsSpicy
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/deep-fears-drive-japanese-whaling-20120112-1pwzx.html
Your link actually supports whaling. Thanks
Barbara Reder
I dislike Watson. he is a terrorist and he promotes it. His action the way he does it I simply cant agree. To Disillusion.. whale eating is part of japanese culture. 貧乏な日本人が生きる食べ物です。i do not agree with it but my mom explained to me that for japanese people it is very rude that western people are attacking them for something that was only thing able to eat during world war 2. some people simply can not break the old habit. This whole issue is very sensitive. Everytime I see the whale watchers on US TV it really upsets me because tv only shows the negativity of Japan and nothing positive. as if Japan is the only bad place.
JeremiahW
Paul Watson is a terrorist. I am boycotting all things canadian.
Lawrence Woznicki
****We love you Sea Shepherd...Thank god you have the balls to do what our government refuses to do. I will continue to support you verbally and financially!
MaboDofuIsSpicy
Excellent post Barbara. I agree with you totally.
Barbara Reder
Lawrence if you get the chance please visit Japan. by supporting the sea shepherd i hope you are non meat eater.. seeshepherd are terriorist.. Greenpeace people are better off.
Barbara Reder
I am bi culture and I respect my mothers culture which is japanese. I am tired of hearing from people through out my life discriminating and attacking the japanese people because what the government is doing. I am tired of hearing what see shepherds are doing. Any activist who do violence to another person due to their believe i feel they are terriorist. I respect those who sit silently infront of building or boycotting products without throwing items to the people who work for it. I personally do not like the idea of whale killing.. but my concern is what can we help the japanese people who can only have jobs in whale hunting. are big companies going to provide jobs to these people .. are you willing to invest in a company and reeducate these people. For those who support these activist. are you willing to invest jobs in JApan in the area where whale is being eaten? i do not think so.
JeremiahW
Why are these eco-terrorists called "activists" by the AP? If any of us here threw acid on a stranger on the street in Toronto or dumped paint on a passerby in Sydney we would be called monstesr, criminasl, a threat to public safety that needed to be behind bars. If the researchers aboard the whaling ships were white Europeans (or impoversished black Africans) Watson and his eco terrorist pals would not dare try these stunts.
ifd66
"Terrorists" create terror with the general populous. These guys are "activitsts"
cleo
Rubbish. At between ¥1500 and ¥2500 per 100gm, minke whale meat is not for the 貧乏。
Commercial whaling has been banned for over 25 years. Surely that's plenty of time for these people to have acquired new skills and got themselves new jobs? Anyone whaling then would be retired by now.
nath
@ifd66
"Terrorists" create terror with the general populous. These guys are "criminal activitsts"
Fixed.
Please do not forget that these "activists" have criminal records in several countries, and that they were originally denied Australian visas because one of the requirements was a certificate of good character.
LAcajun
Being from the Southern - USA and having recently come to Japan, I have had a chance to try "Whale" on two occasions and you know what... It taste "GOOD", at time's near my home on the Gulf of Mexico whales beach themselves, I plan to take my knife next time and do some "Whale" research to show my friends how good it tastes, in hopes to start grass roots program in USA - "Eat More Whale"
spudman
Wrong, the SSCS has staged protests all around the round, blaming it on racism is trying to muddy the debate. But that is what the Japanese Govt' tells the public of Japan the opposition to whaling in the SO is about.
spudman
Whale from the southern ocean is part of the culture? Nonsense, whaling was always a local industry until the Japanese lost the war and couldn't feed themselves, then the Allies encouraged whaling as a means to provide protein to a starving public . Research in the Southern Ocean isn't Japanese culture it's cultural imperialism. If Japanese were starving then I am sure there would be willing helpers all around the world but the left over meat from these trips is sitting in freezers, tons and tons of it. It's not about food it's about spending public money on a widely ignored anachronistic industry to line a few pockets.
Disillusioned
Really? Have you actually asked any Japanese people about this or are you just going on what the J-gov spouts? It is no more a part of Japanese culture than eating kangaroos is to Australians. In fact, there are probably more people in Australia eating kangaroo than Japanese eating whale.
Moderator: Kangaroos are, of course, not relevant to this discussion.
Nessie
@cletus
Yeah, they're imposing their culture on whales. Lol. I don't think that really counts. The right-wing Japanese are trying to impose their culture on rank and file Japanese, but that doesn't quite count as cultural imperialism either.
bkh1434
what i can do is show my japanese friend what they need to do with the governement.. keep educating them and hope it will change one day. I do worry but one day an activist might injure a fisherman or an activist might get injured .. makes me wonder if that would stop japan? Or law suits..
MaboDofuIsSpicy
Whaling is legal. Throwing acid is not. I would love to go and kick their butts.
Moderator
All readers please calm down. Neither side has the moral high ground on this issue.
arrestpaul
They're also inept so they can't be "real sailors" either.
The Munya Times
I am not an expert of chemistry, and I think what SSCS uses is a harmless stink bomb and in no way equal with any military class tactical weapons that the Japanese fleet uses. Yet, if it is harmful, I would raise objection to the use of it as well.
smithinjapan
kazetsukai: "Obviously the tactics are NOT effective otherwise to actually "save" the whales."
Yes and no. Obviously they cannot save whales that have already be hit by the explosive tipped harpoons in the name of science, but given that in the past (like last year) they cause the whaling fleet to give up short of their quota and go back to THEIR COAST, they DO save some whales, don't they?
OssanAmerica: "Wrong, as usual".
Rubbish. Any definition you give -- be it 'eco-terrorist' from the US FBI website (and we all know how reliable the FBI is... and unbiased!) or 'cultural imperialism' -- can be equally applied to the whalers. Firing a sonic weapon at a helicopter in flight is not 'defense', nor is throwing stun grenades -- it terrorism by any definition you wish to put out there to define one group but not the other. And the whole cultural imperialism thing -- ha! Boy did you step in it there! Japan is not imposing its culture on others by going far, FAR outside of Japanese waters under the guise of research, WITH Japanese coast guard to 'defend' their crazed intentions? And what does Japan always fall back on when they struggle to talk about how it's actually 'science'? "You are hurting out cultural traditions!", forgetting of course that they pretend they're doing it for science.
It's quite humorous to hear such pathetic defense of what they're doing, really, and even funnier when you point out the contradictions and watch their heads implode.
smithinjapan
The Munya Times: "I am not an expert of chemistry, I think what SSCS uses is harmless stink bomb and in now way equal with any military class tactical weapons that the Japanese fleet uses. Yet, if it is harmful, I would oppose the use of that as well."
Good point. So who are the real 'terrorists' here, then?
smithinjapan
Barbara Reder: "I am tired of hearing from people through out my life discriminating and attacking the japanese people because what the government is doing."
This is always the defense used by people who simply cannot defend themselves because they KNOW they are in the wrong.
"To Disillusion.. whale eating is part of japanese culture. 貧乏な日本人が生きる食べ物です"
So you admit it has nothing to do with science, then, and their purpose for imposing their values on others and whaling in waters FAR from their own is illegal. As for 'poor Japanese food', show me a dish of whale meat that's cheaper than other foods. That may have been the case after WWII, but not now, that's for sure. What you SHOULD be sick of is hearing a few oyajis talk about 'natsukashii' times when they were forced to eat whale blubber for protein, and the government forcing the overstocked whale meat on kids school lunches when they can't sell it.
GW
Thank you for proving that whale meat ISNT about culture, it was a cheap source of protein after WWII, I believe I even read the US encouraged Japanese to eat back then.
So while there are some coastal areas that have eaten dolphin/whales the vast vast majority never really did EXCEPT after WWII, that doesnt make it culture unfortunately.
genji17
Wonder how much better the whale populations would do if all the money the SS used on illegally assaulting legal researchers (loophole means legal) was instead used on funding conservation of whale habitat and legislature to push to close the loophole...? You may not like the harvesting of whales for research, but at the end of the day only the lunatics of the SS are committing crimes.
nath
That must be very worrisome moomoochoo. Your post is good though and I agree.
ObviousDemon
I don't necessarily support SSCS's methods, but definately do not equate them with Terrorists. If they were Terrorists, whalers would be unable to continue, due to the TERROR and fear for their well-being induced by a TERRORist.
However, in the last 30 years, the ONLY whales that have been saved have been by the actions of Sea Shephard. Greenpeace haven't saved ANY. IWC haven't saved ANY. Australian Government inaction haven't saved ANY.
I have to respect that.
I would never go out of my way to suport them financially, until I see posts on an International forum that appear to be at minimum, professionally supported. The injustice of this makes me want to contribute to SSCS, just to balance the Leger.
ObviousDemon
bkh1434...
"what i can do is show my japanese friend what they need to do with the governement.. keep educating them and hope it will change one day. I do worry but one day an activist might injure a fisherman or an activist might get injured .. makes me wonder if that would stop japan? Or law suits.."
a noble, sensible approach.
unfortunately, the experience of every Gaijin I've ever known is that, the only learning from mentioning whales or WW2 to Japanese, is the Gaijin learning that he/she actually doesn't have any Japanese friends.
It's like trying to teach Aussies that BBQing might be unsanitary......
lostrune2
Stink bombs and paint?!
Whale guts are already stinky!
And the whole dang poop deck is already bloody!
OssanAmerica
You still continue to be wrong smith. WHO is approaching WHO? I dare you to answer this. WHO is harassing WHO? Everything the whalers do is in defense against an eco-terroprist attack. And I do find your belief that you aremore qualified than the FBI to define eco-terrorism hilarious.
Yes, FAR into INTERNATIONAL WATERS where no country has legal jurisdiction. The Whalers are imposing heir cultutral beliefs on who? The whales? AS for thge "guise" of research, until the IWC Scientific Committee rejects rejects Japans submitted datas as false or invalid, it IS "research". A bunch of people against whaling crying that it;s not research doesn't make it invalid.
What part of any law enforcement officer detaining and arresting a perpetrator within his/her jurisdictional authory is "crazed" to you? JCG have been onboard thge JMSDF vessels taking part in the coalition naval action against the Somali pirates for years for the very same arrrest authority.
Japan doesnb't have to fall back on anything. The IWC Scientific committee's position is suifficient.
Yes, imploding heads.. Very intelligent comment.
Andre Hut
I agree - stop these eco-terrorists that are killing intelligent whales in an internationally sanctioned whale sancturary. It is not "research", it is hunting for whale meat.
JAPAN HAS NO HONOR.
Sending another check off to SSCS today!
arrestpaul
That would be the eco-terrorist Watson and his SS. You know, the pro-violence group who continually rams and sinks other vessels to force others to do their bidding.
arrestpaul
Yes you do. ATTEMPTING to instil fear by repeated acts of violence does NOT mean that their intended victims are actually afraid. It only means that the eco-terrorists are also incompetent at creating fear.
arrestpaul
Everyone has a right to DEFEND themselves from attack. Especially attacks for eco-terrorists like the SS.
Fadamor
@Cleo,
The SM2 was shadowing the Bob Barker and reporting its position to the fleet. You already know this. There's a big difference between that and deliberately attempting to interfere with a vessel's right of way. One is passive while the other is aggressive. The Bob Barker's resonse to the passive action of the SM2 was to launch a covert boarding party. Again, aggressive. 'Nuff said.
wtfjapan
26million for extra security that doesnt seem to be working, at this rate itll take 20years to before the whaling industry breaks even, if they can survive that long LOL
arrestpaul
The eco-terrorist scows BB and SI are being kept busy searching empty ocean for the research/whaling/factory vessels. The security vessels seem to be doing their jobs very well.
OssanAmerica
How many years will Australian taxpayers be willing to pay for the silly antics of the anti-whaling "activists"?
GW
to all those that neged me pls learn the difference between culture & say a trend, a handful of places that eat whales/dolphins doesnt NOT a culture make, simple truth
GW
ODemon,
Sadly there is way more truth in that than many of us gaijin wud admit! Too many Japanese are way to hyper sensitive & are insanely quick to take offence(EVEN if they agree with you!)
gogogo
You mean throwing old butter.
OssanAmerica
It has the smell of rancid butter. And vomit for that matter, But it is NOT rotten butter.
"So, is butyric acid harmful? A quick Google search found this information:
Appearance: colourless liquid with the extremely unpleasant smell of rancid butter Stability: Flammable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, aluminium and most other common metals, alkalies, reducing agents. Toxicology: Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Corrosive. Extremely unpleasant smell may cause nausea. Liquid may burn skin and eyes. Readily absorbed through the skin. Severe skin, eye and respiratory irritant."
That the SSCS knows that butyric acid is not harmless is evidenced by the fact that the eco-terrorists who throw them are always wearing protective eye wear. That their intent is physical harm is evidenced by the fact that the research whaling crew are not warned in advance and have no such eye protection.
ObviousDemon
Ossan America....the Google Search you posted also describes Coca Cola, Sake & yoghurt.......
I'm not saying that you are neccessarily wrong, - just that it's not a strong argument.
ObviousDemon
Ossan America "How many years will Australian taxpayers be willing to pay for the silly antics of the anti-whaling "activists"?"
First - what exactly do Australian Taxpayers pay for in regards to anti-whaling activists? (apart from THIS one taxi trip>?)
Second - with Japan just signing up to a 3.8 TRILLION Yen project near Darwin this week, no doubt attracting MINIMUM 10% tax income to the Australain Government, I think they can afford it.
Third - there are clearly enough Aussie Taxpayers here.....you don't need to speak for us, or explain to the world what OUR opinions are...
Fourth - How much Money has Australia spent on taking Japan the ICJ, only for Japan to not respond to the ICJ's requests yet.......
ObviousDemon
Arrest Paul "Yes you do. ATTEMPTING to instil fear by repeated acts of violence does NOT mean that their intended victims are actually afraid. It only means that the eco-terrorists are also incompetent at creating fear."
I don't speak for you, please don't tell ME what I think.
I don't want to see private citizens out in the Antarctic Waters, putting themselves in Potential Harm, or putting themselves in positions where Japanese Government representatives are made to look more draconian than they actually are.
Australia's Government invested a lot of time, effort & money through the IWC, only to have the vote skewed by obscure countries that have NO connection with whaling mysteriously voting with Japan, coincidentally after recieving large amounts of "International Aid" from Japan.
Even after Whaling was LEGITIMATELY BANNED through the IWC, Japan wiggled around enough to create & manipulate a Research loophole to then continue Industrial-Style whaling on the opposite end of the Earth.
One thing we know in civilized society is that when rule of law is corrupted/circumvented by those with money, the common man will eventually rise up, and vigilantism ensues......The Arab Summer should make this clear...
The Western World's governments & Greenpeace etc tried to stop Japan whaling through various Legitimate methods for 20 years before SSCS came along.......Not a SINLGE whale was saved.
At least 500 whales were saved from harpooning JUST LAST YEAR by SSCS's actions.....this speaks volumes.
arrestpaul
Hahahaha. You consider one action "legitmate" and the other as only a "manipulated loophole" when they both orgininated within the body of the IWC. The IWC is a WHALING organization.
You also failed to address the years when the WWF and other animal-rights groups paid to add non-whaling nations to the IWC membership in order to change who was in the majority.
arrestpaul
Butyric acid is still butyric acid. It's NOT "old butter" as gogogo suggested. You can't find a stronger argument than the truth.
The eco-terrorist SS are throwing glass bottles of butyic acid and they are repeatedly throwing them at vessels that are not whaling.
gogogo
Butyric acid is old butter just as much as Japan is researching whales.
arrestpaul
There is research being done and documents to prove that. Research that you chose to reject for your own personal reasons.
"Old butter" isn't even rancid butter. The eco-terrorist Watson only claims that the glass bottles of butyric acid that he is throwing at the whalers "smells" like rancid/rotten butter.
gogogo
Research, please.... just say you like eating whales and be done with it.
arrestpaul
I've never eaten whale. I object to the repeated violence used by the eco-terrorist Watson and his zealots. The very same violence that you seem to approve of, promote, and support. .
OssanAmerica
When the eco-terrorists start throwing Coca Cola, Sake and Yoghurt then your point will undoubtedly be taken. If it's not a strong argument why are the eco-terrorits wearing eye protetion when tossing these allegedly "harmless" substances?
OssanAmerica
Why not? You seem to spend most of your waking life posting what Japanese should or should not eat, what is or isn't their culture, what and where their tax money is spent on, and what their country should or should not do. It's not a one way street.
.
OssanAmerica
Japan is conducting research whaling under IWC Article VIII and they are submitting their data to the IWC Scientific Committee. Said committee has never rejected Japan's data as false or invalid. I can't think of any higher authority to determine whether "Research Whaling" is actually being conducted or not.
gogogo
No one is arguing Japan is making "research" on whales, but it is 0.00001% research, 99.99999% food...
Call a spade a spade please.
OssanAmerica
Sure, when you can prove it's a spade. "Oh look they're eating the whles" isn't an argument either way as long as IWC Article VIII REQUIRES that the whales taken under Scientific permits are CONSUMED. AS long as Japan subits it;s reserch data to the IWC SCientrific Committee AS REQUIRED by Article VIII and the Committee does not reject that data as "invalid" or "false" their ios no argument there either. So on what actual FACT do you base this interstingly one sided ratio?
arrestpaul
Then you agree that research is being done.
ObviousDemon
Re: The Research Argument
How much other Research is done, by kiiling thousands of the subjects, to gather data?
Can you site examples?
Google "Ethics" at almost ANY University in the world, and you will see a paragraph about non-harmful, non-cruelty, and especially non-lethal Research Methods, being the Legally-required minimum.
THIS is the main reason that the educated world is offended by Japan's "Research" Loophole.
The Truth Matters
Calling the crew of Sea Shepard terrorists is hyperbole of the highest order and leads me to believe there are some name callers who lack basic comprehension skills.
arrestpaul
Eco-terrorists. The crew and leader of the SS are eco-terrorists which I don't believe is that difficult to comprehend.
sunhawk
the best way to fight sea shepherd is for the media to stop giving them publicity when the publish every little thing that happens with them. the attention mongers will move on then.
gogogo
Questionably of the research aside, sure but if 1 part in a 100,000 is research you can't call the campaign a research campaign.
It's like calling a battleship yellow just because 1 handle on 1 door happens to be yellow. A battleship is gray. Call a spade a spade.
cleo
Strange then that the only bits of whale that get taken back to Japan are the edible bits (and a few phials of sperm to use in the Cross-Breed With Pigs, Cows and Mice FrankenExperiments). A huge part of each whale is tipped back into sea after they've finished 'researching' it. If the researchers were being truly ethical about 'consuming' the by-products of their 'research', they'd take back all the blood and guts to turn into fertiliser. Instead they choose to dump it in the ocean. What does that tell us about the purpose of the 'lethal research'?
cleo
And what are iron grappling hooks and jabs in the eye with a bamboo pole? http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/whalers-attack-with-hooks-sea-shepherd/story-fn3dxity-1226247381846
OssanAmerica
So the numbers are what bothers you? Plese tell us exactly how may killed would be sufficient to qualify as "research" in your mind. The U.S. representatie to the IWC Monica Medina has stated that "if Japan killed 4000 minkes per year for the next 10 years it wouldn't affect the stocks".
Cletus
OssanAmericae
Thats funny Ossan, why dont you include the rest of her comments especially the one where she accuses Japan of conducting commercial scale whaling in the whale sanctuary in violation of the IWC.
arrestpaul
Self defense. That's what is supposed to happen when the eco-terrorists deliberately resort to repeated acts of violence. The intended victims fight back and the eco-terrorists whine about the victims fighting back.
jamurai
"threw paint and foul smelling acid" How dare they! They should retaliate with bamboo sticks and grappling hooks!
OssanAmerica
Because she didn't say it at the same time and it doesn't make any reference to stock numbers, which is the point, not who said it.
Cletus
OssanAmerica
Actually she did say it at the same time, both statements where made in response to a question at the hearings she was involved in. If you are unsure try page 29 of the Joint hearing on whale conservation held in 2009. And you will see both these comments.
OssanAmerica
Post the link please
OssanAmerica
""Two of the deployed ropes had iron weights attached to both ends. The SS activists threw ropes with hooks attached to their ends several times," said the Institute, adding the anti-whaling protesters also hurled 30 bottles of paint."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/18/australia-japan-whaling-idUSL3E8CI2JG20120118
Cletus
OssanAmerica
Given that you have already quoted the first part of her response you must already have the link otherwise where would you have got the initial quote from?