Japan imports 2,000 tons of whale meat from Iceland, Greenpeace says

“We don’t know why Japan had to import such a huge volume of whale meat,” accounting for about two thirds of the nation’s annual consumption, Sato said.

...to increase trade deficit and blame to rising fuel prices (?!)

Or to raise deficit and blame foreign companies in Japan.

To show support for and solidarity with Iceland, (in expectation of support in return at a later date) must be the first and foremost reason, followed by ... a guaranteed continuation of the re-export to the Koreas market, in light of this intermediate cut-off?

They needed to spend all that government subsidy money somehow...

Who is importing?

"Japan is importing" does not really show the structures.

This is not Japan vs. Greenpeace. It is lobby vs. World opinion.

“We don’t know why Japan had to import such a huge volume of whale meat,” accounting for about two thirds of the nation’s annual consumption, Sato said.

I can only think of two reasons for this. Firstly, to gain some sympathy and start crying foul cos they had to import whale meat. And secondly, to win support from the other whaling nations. It's not as if Japan needs to import it. They still have plenty frozen and next to nobody eats it.

Hey, school kids gotta eat something.

Japan has an excess of freezer space it can't fill now it's not going to the other side of the world to persue it's cultural heritage.

Import by a company is different from Import by the country Japan.

It's not easy to research on an empty stomach.

We don’t know why Japan had to import such a huge volume of whale meat

Because, if we want something, we get it.

Why isn't Greenpeace lashing out at Iceland then? They're the ones who killed the whales. Oh...that's right. They're white, and in line with European cultural values. (Well, except for killing whales maybe.) Much easier to demonize Asians.

Japan is not the only consumer of whale meat. Whale meat is used as food by Norway, Iceland, te Faroe Islands, by the Basques, the Inuit (and other indigenous peoples of the United States - including the Makah people of the Pacific Northwest), Canada, Greenland; the Chukchi people of Siberia, and Bequia in the Caribbean Sea. Over-exploitation of any species of whales or animal group , of course ,must be avoided, but, to date, because of proper management whale populations are not threatened with extinction . . For instance, Canada has even taken the Humpback Whale off its "endangered” list

Oh Japan grow up! You got the smack down and now you buy whale meat in a temper tantrum??

Why is my tax money being wasted on such crap? Oh right, pride.

you wait in the next few years J gov will declare that whale meat must be served at least once a week in all school lunches.. only way they are going to get people to buy it is if the younger generation is forced to eat, and like it!!. all that mercury laden goodness for the future generation. yum

Fabulous. Talk about a wind up. Can't hunt anymore so we will buy our whale meat instead.

They've stockpiled almost 5000 tones because they can't sell it. What on earth do they need another 2000 for? Some corrupt politician or bureaucrat is making a mint off the taxpayers while selling them on nationalist sentiment.

Guess the freezers weren't quite full enough. Enjoy next month's school lunch menu, kids!

Junichi Sato of Greenpeace Japan, don't like whales meat..... But Many Do.......

This is not new, japan has been importing whale for at least ten years. It also imports from Norway.

Obviously a back room deal, Japan have asked Iceland to back them on something we will find out about in the future.

who cares?

Why isn't Greenpeace lashing out at Iceland then? They're the ones who killed the whales. Oh...that's right. They're white, and in line with European cultural values. (Well, except for killing whales maybe.) Much easier to demonize Asians.

Japan is not the only consumer of whale meat. Whale meat is used as food by Norway, Iceland, te Faroe Islands, by the Basques, the Inuit (and other indigenous peoples of the United States - including the Makah people of the Pacific Northwest), Canada, Greenland; the Chukchi people of Siberia, and Bequia in the Caribbean Sea. Over-exploitation of any species of whales or animal group , of course ,must be avoided, but, to date, because of proper management whale populations are not threatened with extinction . . For instance, Canada has even taken the Humpback Whale off its "endangered” list

I fully agree with above 2 posts.

The appalling, aggressive and confrontational methods Greenpeace adopted when dealing with Japanese whaling activities through some of the video footages indicate pure criminal behaviour on Greenpeace part during their attempts to halt whaling activities.

Greenpeace activists knew it too well that they won't face any reciprocating life endangering response from Japanese whaling crew, and the same can't be said if the activists show some guts to take on the European countries conducting the same activities.

Last but not least, do Japanese really consume THAT much whale meat that Japan alone may endanger the whale species??

My own local grocery store in eastern Tokyo has consistently had one or two packets of "whale" meat for sale. I think it is disgraceful and appalling.

If Greenpeace were opposing this because they think whaling is cruel I could understand, but this line from them (and the article itself) about some excessive supply of whale meat relative to demand is very dubious. Preaching to the choir maybe, but if they want to attract independent people why aren't they playing the cruelty angle for example instead?

“We don’t know why Japan had to import such a huge volume of whale meat,” accounting for about two thirds of the nation’s annual consumption, Sato said.

The article doesn't say where Greenpeace think they got consumption figures from, but according to the official numbers which someone posted previously regarding inventories, the amount of whale (くじら) meat available recently (1,989 tons) was only 57% of the level of the same point in the previous year.

http://www.market.jafic.or.jp/suisan/file/reizo/2014/09_syuyou_2014_02.htm

2,000 tons is huge relative to the amount of whale meat currently available, but in absolute terms other meats are far far more abundant in supply. 2,000 tons plus 1,989 tons? It's a niche market at best.

“No matter what, we oppose such shipments,” he added.

What's wrong with free trade? It's win-win for Iceland and Japan. If Greenpeace want support for their cause, they'll have to stop with this anti-free trade nonsense.

They claim the country has large stocks of frozen whale meat from its own hunts that it cannot sell because there is insufficient demand.

It's bizarre - these critics of whale meat eating are complaining about "insufficient" demand? But on the contrary, the official numbers suggest that there is demand, and the fact that 2,000 tons of the stuff was imported confirms that point again, in addition to the fact that we know restaurants serve whale meat, as noted in the story itself.

If Greenpeace wants sympathy they have to play this on cruelty grounds or something else instead.

What is shameful is that the whaling associations sell a lot of meat to schools and are trying to get more to purchase it. Same old methodology employed by tobacco companies, start-em on it when they're young and you have a customer for life. They get the local politicians, government and school officials to put it on the menus and these guys have their own kids and grand-kids in these schools. I'm talking about the toxicity of the meat and has any of the data regarding this toxicity been revealed from any of the scientific research. Nothing, nada, zip and the reason no toxicity data has been released is because it would all become dog food overnight after the public learned how nasty the meat really is!

Hmmm hunts for research ... Right....

Just weeks ago there was an article saying lots of whale meat going to waste in storage as Japan is loosing it's taste for it.

What's up with Iceland selling all this whale meat?

CrickyMAY. 09, 2014 - 04:47PM JST Japan has an excess of freezer space it can't fill now it's not going to the other side of the world to persue it's cultural heritage.

Where did you hear that Japan had freezers full of whale meat? On the back of a weetbix box?

The insults you throw at Japan are really racist and it makes me wonder why you expats even live here, let alone stalk this website.

I'll say it again. There is nothing wrong with hunting whales, there is nothing wrong with eating whale meat. This whole thing is just stupid and is being fueled by uneducated individuals like yourself who don't even know the argument on why whales are being fought over.

wtfjapanMAY. 09, 2014 - 06:23PM JST you wait in the next few years J gov will declare that whale meat must be served at least once a week in all school lunches.. only way they are going to get people to buy it is if the younger generation is forced to eat, and like it!!. all that mercury laden goodness for the future generation. yum

You are another example of a racist. "only way they are going to get people to buy it is if the younger generation is forced to eat, and like it!!. all that mercury laden goodness for the future generation. yum"

I actually happen to eat whale meat, and it is delicious. Your comment has also got nothing to do with this article at all, oh except the fact that you mentioned whales.

Only in Japan do you buy 2000 tonnes of something to add to the 5000 rotting in support of 'traditional whaling' but that you claim is instead for science (until you are attacked and say it's ancient tradition to hunt and eat whale) in a different hemisphere, then force feed to children (again, claiming tradition), then ask for more handouts because you met the subsidy quota buy wasting tax-payers money before the deadline. I'd say sarcastically no one is going to look back on this and laugh, but I honestly think, and given most Japanese are unwilling to talk about this issue out of shame anyway, they conveniently forget it ever happened again.

who cares?

I do and clearly so do all the other posters who are speaking out about how dumb this is.

I always find it strange that the "public" in Japan is not talking about this. They seem not to care or too frighted of being bullied.

They do talk about it. They talk about how they are bullied by western powers who don't understand their unique culture and how whaling is apart of that. Most honestly do not understand what the issue here. Lord knows I've tried but it all goes back to "but it's our culture" when it damn well is not.

Who is importing?

That is a good question. Rarely does a country import foodstuffs, it is usually some company in the country that does the importing. Just like Iceland didn't export the whale meat, rather a company in Iceland exported the meat.

Oh Japan grow up! You got the smack down and now you buy whale meat in a temper tantrum??

Whale meat has been imported from a company in Iceland for years. And the article clearly states that the shipment left Iceland in March, that would mean that the export was arranged BEFORE the ICJ ruling was issued. Sorry no temper tantrum on Japan's part.

Why is my tax money being wasted on such crap?

Where is there any indication that tax money was involved in this importing of whale meat?

Can't hunt anymore so we will buy our whale meat instead.

But they can still hunt, as the article says the fleet is currently at sea hunting whales. And the import deal was done before the ICJ ruling.

Just a point or two

Iceland hunts in its own back yard, it has left overers as it's own population does not consume it's catch/kill Sells it to Japan who's own consumers do not consume the current catch/kill. Freezes most of its vile meat substitute But continues to follow a business (ha,ha) practice that is reliant on Government subsisting. What a go forward business model, thank god my tax dollars can subsidie this.

This is proof positive that Japan's whaling activities in the Antarctic were for commercial purposes and not scientific. Ohhh... Japan wants its whale meat but everybody is against Japan's traditional meal. Yeah... Dodo meat was pretty tasty too.

Don't go hysterical. It's just whale.

Killing for the sake of killing. Like any hunting culture.

Imagine if the headline read: "Japan uses taxpayers money to actually put a fraction of the promised money into rebuilding" instead of them putting earmarked money for rebuilding into something no one wants, few see money from (save separate subsidies to keep them afloat despite the lack of desire for the product!), or heck... if they actually engaged in science! Might be less of a laughing stock.

Fin whales are endangered.

bruinfan: "Fin whales are endangered."

Exactly! So now Japan can use your tax money to exploit that as well for something no one but the vested interests want.

The article doesn't say where Greenpeace think they got consumption figures from, but according to the official numbers which someone posted previously regarding inventories, the amount of whale (くじら) meat available recently (1,989 tons) was only 57% of the level of the same point in the previous year.

That was me a few months ago where people were claiming that there was "no demand" when if you actually look at the statistics month by month, you see the inventory movement going on a downward trend while there were inventory coming in monthly dispelling the "myth" that they rot in freezers.

Another thing to note is that most of the fish and marine products sold in Japan are in fact taken to these "freezers" and distributed frozen to wholesalers and retailers and are de thawed hence the label "解凍” even for sashimi.

This is proof positive that Japan's whaling activities in the Antarctic were for commercial purposes and not scientific.

No, sorry but it isn't.

For example companies in the US spends millions of dollars on researching cows and pigs and chickens, and yet the US also consumes millions of pounds of these animals every year. So is that 'proof positive' that the research isn't scientific?

Why isn't Greenpeace lashing out at Iceland then? They're the ones who killed the whales. Oh...that's right. They're white, and in line with European cultural values. (Well, except for killing whales maybe.) Much easier to demonize Asians.

Commanteer, I love your answer because it's true. I brought my husband to Canada to live last year and what I have learned is that because he isn't white, his opinions, if they are in opposition to the white masses, are considered crazy.

I get a kick out of people who stand on their moral high horse on specific issues like this. How many of us can say we do nothing that doesn't offend someone's culture or way of life? I would say no one. To me, just judging someone on whale meat consumption or some other act of similar consequence is offensive and shows lack of respect for others. I never would have, but because of the what I deem the unfair portrayal of this situation by western media, I was curious to try whale meat and it was delicious. So please keep importing Japan if that is the better way for you to supply me and others with the odd treat of meat that we want regardless of whether some people deem that kind of meat morally reprehensible to consume.

Why isn't Greenpeace lashing out at Iceland then?

Perhaps because Iceland is very clear as to why they kill whales while Japan tries to hide behind "research" as an excuse.

I get a kick out of people who stand on their moral high horse on specific issues like this. How many of us can say we do nothing that doesn't offend someone's culture or way of life? I would say no one. To me, just judging someone on whale meat consumption or some other act of similar consequence is offensive and shows lack of respect for others.

I think that if these whales shipped from Iceland were hunted in international waters, it makes it something we all have a say about. I think it really troubles others that whales slaughtered for the consumption of others is an issue and when I go shopping I don't see any lack of protein on store shelves or people starving so this seems to be a stunt of some sort in response to the cancellation of Japans Antarctic hunt. The J-government may be trying to give the impression that their is a shortage and that without this shipment the whaling industry would perish or something. And yes, we have a right to know if it was paid for by out tax dollars, sorry yen, or that of the whaling industry but who are we kidding here, the have been suckling off the teats of government for some time.

Icelanders eat little whale meat, and most of the catch is sent to the Japanese market.

Can Iceland really suggest that we should respect their culture and history of whaling when most of their catch is sent here. Lets get serious, this is big business and I'm pretty sure if we look at who is hunting these whales it ain't indigenous tribes in skin-lined skiffs but some corporation that has share holders to answer to. And for Japan to import this meat that Japanese hunters did not catch themselves mutes the argument of "it's our culture".

To be frank what Japan does in it's own waters should not be the business of others and although it disgusts me that Taiji for example uses tortuous methods when they slaughter their prey and the fact that these butchers have no issue with is troubling but as I see it, it's done legally in Japanese waters so fair game, yes, it's their culture. But what happens to whales in international waters is EVERYONES' business and if that whale meat was taken from international waters, then fair game! To say that this is one's culture is not reason to impose that on the rest of the world who share in it's oversight.

Environmentalists on Friday lashed out after Japan imported 2,000 tons of frozen whale meat from Iceland, in what they say is continued defiance of world opinion over the hunting of the mammals.

Junichi Sato of Greenpeace Japan seems poorly informed about who/what imported the whale meat. Sato is also confused about what the "world opinion" is over whales, whaling, and whalers. Most people of the world don't care about whales, whaling, whalers, or whiners. Better luck next time Sato.

Shame on Iceland... there goes the old Icelanding argument that eating whale meat is part of their culture (which in Iceland actually has more of a foundation than in Japan). But now it is about commerce.

Supporting documentation, to support my above...

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/biggest-threat-to-japan-whaling-declining-appetites

Perhaps because Iceland is very clear as to why they kill whales while Japan tries to hide behind "research" as an excuse.

Except Greenpeace says killing whales in wrong, they don't say killing whales by hiding behind research is wrong. And many countries believe that Iceland's hunt is in direct violation of the IWC regulations. When Iceland re-joined the IWC in 2002, they did so with an objection to the moratorium. Only problem is first the regulations require an objection to be filed within 60 days of the new regulation being passed. And second Iceland was a member when the moratorium was passed and didn't object at that time. They then quit the IWC in 1992, only to rejoin with an objection.

If quitting and then rejoining allows you to get around the regulations, then Japan should quit, then rejoin with an objection to the moratorium. This would allow them to legal resume commercial whaling.

The J-government may be trying to give the impression that their is a shortage and that without this shipment the whaling industry would perish or something.

Can someone please provide any evidence that the Japanese government imported this whale meat and not some company in Japan. Numerous comments have acted like this is an established fact but I haven't seen any proof of such a claim.

I think that if these whales shipped from Iceland were hunted in international waters, it makes it something we all have a say about.

Since whales are migratory species that cross borders indiscriminately, where they are killed should not make any difference to either the anti- or pro-whalers. The effect on the species is the same no matter where the killing took place.

Since whales are migratory species that cross borders indiscriminately, where they are killed should not make any difference to either the anti- or pro-whalers. The effect on the species is the same no matter where the killing took place.

I would agree in principle with your opinion and I for one am against the hunts not because I'm against killing the whales but because I think that it is unnecessary and done only for profit by large corporations with the exception of some local whaling communities. Large corporations are disproportionately responsible for these hunts so disguising the hunts as a cultural pastime and necessary for Japanese to put food on the table just isn't the case. There are those who hunt it, eat it and provide for their families just as the native americans when it came to hunting buffalo and I think their culture should be respected. This is why I mention territorial waters and indigenous peoples and was attempting to give respect to their way of life even-though

Can someone please provide any evidence that the Japanese government imported this whale meat and not some company in Japan. Numerous comments have acted like this is an established fact but I haven't seen any proof of such a claim.

Plenty of proof that the whaling industry only survives through tax money and has so for quite some time. Do you really think the J-govenment would show the receipt? I'm sure the whaling company would be willing to provide the bank transfer documents.

Plenty of proof that the whaling industry only survives through tax money and has so for quite some time.

I clearly asked about whether there was proof that the Japanese government imported the whale meat. The whaling industry not part of the question.

being imported by the Japanese company Kyodo Senpaku Kaishi

Thank you for actually answering the question.

tmarieMay. 10, 2014 - 08:21AM JST "Why isn't Greenpeace lashing out at Iceland then?" Perhaps because Iceland is very clear as to why they kill whales while Japan tries to hide behind "research" as an >excuse.

Do you think a harpooned whale gives a spout whether it's been shot for commercial reasons or research reasons?

OssanAmericaMAY. 11, 2014 - 05:58AM JST Do you think a harpooned whale gives a spout whether it's been shot for commercial reasons or research reasons?

Nice job missing the point but you always have missed it. She's saying nothing about the whales. Iceland should have legitimate reasons to hunt whales as the country is located at the cold region. Thus, it's hard to grow the food on the land and they can only rely on fishing to survive. Iceland doesn't even seem to be known for technology, the fishery is really the only domain, they can make some sort of profit. Does Japan have a reason for whaling other than that piss poor excuse of research? Other than the nationalistic pride, nope.

I clearly asked about whether there was proof that the Japanese government imported the whale meat. The whaling industry not part of the question.

And I clearly demonstrated the answer is no with my explanation and it is highly unlikely that either party will provide us any. Whether the government used tax money directly to purchase it or the whaling associations purchased it themselves with funds funneled to it is irreverent. It's been clearly documented that the whaling associations have been in the red and can only survive through government assistance. The J-gov has even funneled funds earmarked for quake and tsunami disaster efforts in a covert manner that brought great criticism on the two for it's lack of transparency so why is it so hard for you to fathom the idea?

The fact is 2000 tons will be piled onto 5000 tons they already spend a fortune freezing, probably at the Institute of Cetacean Research facilities and on the governments tab. Maybe you can't accept this either and won't be happy until you actually see the stockpile for yourself and on a tonnage scale but that ain't ganna happen.

Considering the current surplus of whale meat already in Japan, there's no doubt that this is purely an act of defiance.

Gaijin Dilemma, agree with a lot you said, but I think you're confusing Greenpeace with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. SSCS is the group that is responsible for the "appalling, aggressive and confrontational methods" you spoke of. (They are often called eco-terrorists.)

VincehwrMay. 11, 2014 - 06:39AM JST "OssanAmericaMAY. 11, 2014 - 05:58AM JST Do you think a harpooned whale gives a spout whether it's been shot for commercial reasons or research reasons? Nice job missing the point but you always have missed it. She's saying nothing about the whales. Iceland should have >legitimate reasons to hunt whales as the country is located at the cold region. Thus, it's hard to grow the food on the >land and they can only rely on fishing to survive. Iceland doesn't even seem to be known for technology, the fishery is >really the only domain, they can make some sort of profit. Does Japan have a reason for whaling other than that piss >poor excuse of research? Other than the nationalistic pride, nope.

OMG you're actually justifying Iceland killing and eating whales but condemning Japan for doing the same???

Considering the current surplus of whale meat already in Japan

Can one call a single boatload of whale meat a "surplus"?

Because the 2,000 tons that just arrived is roughly the same as the total amount that was in storage beforehand. There was 2,448 tons in storage at the end of February, and that was down to 57% of the amount at the same time the previous year. http://www.market.jafic.or.jp/suisan/file/reizo/2014/09_syuyou_2014_02.htm

So, Japan maybe now has two shiploads of whale meat in storage. Big deal.

who cares

Quite.

I always find it strange that the "public" in Japan is not talking about this.

Yes, we are talking. we're talking how arrogant and hypocritical people like you are. Haven't you noticed there're many posters who support Japan's whaling even here?

Iceland & Norway have no problems with Greenpeace, because they wont hesitate to use force to clear away Greenpeace boats. Japanese fisherman need to learn that lesson and they won't be bothered by Greenpeace Ships. The Chinese make some pretty effective water cannons.