Rare albino dolphin captured in Japan's 'Cove'

Albino dolphins. Umm. They are the tastiest.

Wont stop them killing it I bet.

a position echoed by the Japanese government

and the Japanese people.

They need to mind their own business. Whaling is one thing but what Japan does in It's own shores is their business.

and the Japanese people.

Just "what" Japanese people? Did you know that there are Japanese among the people protesting?

Most Japanese people don't even know this goes on! It's quite odd that there is no comment from the Japanese fishermen about this. No doubt this particular albino dolphin won't be killed, but it will fetch a high price to an aquarium.

Did you know that there are Japanese among the people protesting?

The last time I remember, it was about 20 or 10 people who were protesting in Tokyo. There may have been bigger one somewhere I don't know, but this is non issue in Japan. Only some foreigners are making noise. Japanese are patient and enduring people, so they don't say anything face to face, but in fact really annoyed.

Capturing wild dolphins and placing them in tiny pools so slack-jawed yokels can gawk and guffaw at them is barbaric - no matter which country is doing it. We've moved on from this.

Leave them be and watch them in nature where they belong.

So a conservation society has problems with the capture and continued survival (albeit in captivity) of an albino dolphin, whose probability of survival in the wild is very low (fact). Makes sense.

Again "check how barbaric we are" is this a badge of homers?

They are mammals like the rest of us with only this difference: they are smarter. At any rate, their brains are larger, and there is no record of any nuclear war in their background.

barbaric - no matter which country is doing it. We've moved on from this.

Go ahead calling Japan barbaric and leave Japan alone.

Despicable people! Stop killing dolphins!!

@tinawatanabe

and the Japanese people.

This is exactly what I meant when I said you should stop referring to all of Japan. Maybe **some people in japan think this is not barbaric, but certainly not all Japanese people. If you wish to support them, that is fine, but quit making issues such as protesting the hunting of whales an "Japan vs. the world" issue; its not.

Most Japanese people don't even know this goes on!

Yes, the level of ignorance is at times breath-taking. There are no TV programs depicting it on Japanese TV, but then it's always been in the interest of Japan's "government" to keep its citizens in the dark

Albino dolphin meat is the best. Lightly grilled with some yakitori tare... Hmmm.....

Seriously, green-fingered environmentalists should go home. They're creating more damage to the environment by sailing around in their polluting ship, causing various countries to send even more (polluting) ships to follow them and stop them from real acts of piracy. What people in some small rural backwater in Japan is entirely up to them, nothing to do with these crazy environmentalists. Are they going to sail into Tokyo Bay next and demand that I stop eating bin-toro because it was caught in waters where cuddly dolphins and whales live?

I really do not have time for groups like this.

SaitamaRefugee

If only 20 Japanese are protesting out of 0.13 Billion people, I think it is safe to say "the Japanese people".

And I never said Japanese do not think this is not barbaric. Don't you know killing animals for food are all barbaric act.

This is not "Japan vs. the world" issue, it is "Japan vs. white countries" issue. Do you know how many countries in the world? Japanese don't want to get into argument with white people in office, that's why they stop talking about this issue when white people loudly bring up this subject, but that does not mean Japanese don't know this issue.

wow thatll fetch a premium price from the Sushi chefs. Albino Dolphin Sushi, 20,000 per plate. yummmmmmmmmmmm

If only 20 Japanese are protesting out of 0.13 Billion people, I think it is safe to say "the Japanese people".

@tinawatanabe: Your logic is astonishingly narrow-minded. Are you saying until over half of the entire Japanese population gets out and starts protesting against dolphin killing, it's safe to assume that all Japanese people support it?

By your same logic, we can safely assume that everyone on Earth supports IS, indoctrination of children, general genocide of minorities as well as rape and murder right? Seeing as everyone is not protesting it.

So...white meat.

Tina Watanabe

If only 20 Japanese are protesting out of 0.13 Billion people, I think it is safe to say "the Japanese people."

Not .13 billion Japanese people-less than that. The fact is that it simply does not make news as much as other political stories do. Just do a news search for it, I found only one article on yahoo.jp and a few on Nikkei while neither Asahi or Yomiuri brought it up. But, you have proven my point, you **don't speak for all Japanese-quit pretending to.

And I never said Japanese do not think this is not barbaric. Don't you know killing animals for food are all barbaric act.

Yes, but this is slightly more barbaric than putting a bullet in a cow, wouldn't you say? Furthermore, dolphins are incredibly smart.

This is not "Japan vs. the world" issue, it is "Japan vs. white countries" issue. Do you know how many countries in the world? Japanese don't want to get into argument with white people in office, that's why they stop talking about this issue when white people loudly bring up this subject, but that does not mean Japanese don't know this issue.

Ahhh..White people. I've got it, white people are the problem! I sincerely doubt this is often gets brought up in offices in Japan, its simply not smart to talk politics or religion at work. The vast majority of foreigners are indifferent towards the Cove, not unlike many Japanese.

tinawatanabe: " Only some foreigners are making noise. Japanese are patient and enduring people, so they don't say anything face to face, but in fact really annoyed."

So... they are 'patient and enduring people', but are in fact annoyed? That is what you call a paradox, tina. And guess what, Japanese people are involved, and MOST Japanese people, not '20', do not eat whale -- many who have knee jerk reactions like yourself are just upset that Japan is rightfully being thrust into the spotlight for something negative. The issues brought up about whaling are not just about killing, but HOW they are killed, and more importantly the issue of the safety of the meat, to which even the mayor of Taiji was pressured into researching and discovered it was more than 10 times over the acceptable level of mercury (which is when he finally stopped pushing it on local elementary schools).

More than that, Tina, you've got to stop with this, "Japanese are this, others are that!" nonsense that you say on EVERY thread, and then try to desperately back track saying even WORSE things like, "I didn't say Japan against the world, I said Japan against WHITE COUNTRIES"!!! Now you're generalizing about not only Japan, but something that is non-existent, and even borderline rac ist.

But go ahead, Tina, and ask how many people eat dolphin regularly and explain how the subsidies from the government are justified. Ask why they promote dolphin meat and push it on school lunches (still) despite the levels of mercury in the meat being unacceptable. Be sure to start your sentences with the usual, "The Japanese people are patient and enduring..." and all the other garbage you help to prove that many Japanese are not 'patient and enduring' at all. You most certainly are not.

they are 'patient and enduring people

Yes, and often don't express their true opinions, preferring to act passive-aggressively instead. Back on topic, dolphin-hunting, like whaling - is going against the "flow of the times".

These rare, beautiful, and unique animals

2 albinos at Taiji in just 10 months makes it seem that they may not be so rare or unique.

And the fact that so few Japanese are involved in the protests may be because most Japanese don't care either way rather than that they don't know about it.

SaitamaR and smith

Of course not all the white countries. I said "white countries" because SaitamaR said "World". I say US, NJ, and Aussie.

Let me ask you, have you ever met any Japanese in Japan who oppose whale or dolphin hunting in your entire life? I never have. And that is not because they don't know this decades long issue exists. They do.

@tina

Have you ever met a Japanese person who actually supports whaling or dolphin hunting?

I've been here almost twenty-five years, and I haven't....

I'm tired of all this bickering - Japanese this, white people that. I think those who feel the need to bring bigotry into it should settle in mano a mano. With sharpened chopsticks. The issue is dolphins.

'Have you ever met a Japanese person who actually supports whaling or dolphin hunting? I've been here almost twenty-five years, and I haven't...'

Most Japanese people I've met haven't even heard of the annual dolphin bloodbath. Perhaps it could even be a case of the dark family secret 'we don't speak of' for some. I think it's probably the former.

I'm just... sad to read this. Angry and sad.

Sad. Really, really sad. For an intelligent animal like that to be treated so cruelly . . . sad.

These rare, beautiful, and unique animals will spend the rest of their days confined to small tanks, where they will live out their shortened lives performing tricks for food.

Welcome to being human, dolphins.

The last time I remember, it was about 20 or 10 people who were protesting in Tokyo. There may have been bigger one somewhere I don't know, but this is non issue in Japan. Only some foreigners are making noise. Japanese are patient and enduring people, so they don't say anything face to face, but in fact really annoyed.

Get the sand out of your eye's. There are Japanese that HATE this just as much as other people around the world. The "typical" media here refuses to report on this issue because of the desire to keep people in the dark about issues that make or put Japanese in a bad light.

Go out and talk to any Japanese person outside of the Wakayama area, listen to what THEY have to say, you WILL be surprised to learn that THEY care but are helpless in many ways to do anything about it.

It's the press and media that has made this issue into a cultural "thing", the people that do the actual killing dont even eat the meat that they cull......they are afraid they will get sick and die.

Have you ever met a Japanese person who actually supports whaling or dolphin hunting?

Of course I have. I have a friend in Wakayama. Look, it is not Japan that has to prove anything. This is Japan's long held tradition. If anybody, it is the opposing foreigners that have to prove ( in vain) if they want to make Japan stop anything. But you should know you are only causing hatred among Japanese against you if you do.

Yubaru, if you are right, why is it taking so long to make Japan stop? The dolphine are just one of many animals in case you don't know. Japan media do not report this much because it is non issue, not worth giving a thought. You should stop hurting Japanese people's feelings.

Tina... there are some traditions that should die out. I've said this to you before - my country used to hunt whales... many whales, and like you we are an island nation. But we stopped. There was no moral or financial need to kill them any more, and instead we embraced them... we accepted that these are intelligent, sentient creatures with their own social structures, with dolphins being the top of the tree.

This isn't an anti-Japan thing... it's an anti-slaughter thing. Some Nordic countries also have their small communities who butcher dolphins based on an archaic tradition. We're against that too. This isn't a Japan vs White Countries thing either... that's just wrong.

I'm against anyone killing whales and dolphins... I don't care where they come from. This particular slaughter is a tradition that should die... I doubt they had Sea World in the Feuding States period anyway.

Thunderbird, I know and US also used to hunt and now stopped. There are many things Japan does, but other countries don't, that does not mean Japan also should stop. You should stop the notion that everybody shoud think and behave the same. Japanese look different, speak different, eat different, think differerent, behave differernt from you.

Most of the countries that have stopped whaling use to whale primarily for oil. There are now cheaper and better alternatives and thus whaling for oil is pointless.

Most of the countries that still hunt whales have and continue to do so primarily for food. Now yes there are alternatives to whale meat, but generally people like a choice in their diets. So if whale has been a part of a nations diet for decades or longer why should they limit their dietary choices just to make other nations happy?

Tina Watanabe

SaitamaR and smith

Of course not all the white countries. I said "white countries" because SaitamaR said "World". I say US, NJ, and Aussie.

Let me ask you, have you ever met any Japanese in Japan who oppose whale or dolphin hunting in your entire life? I never have. And that is not because they don't know this decades long issue exists. They do.

So, world to you now means countries with white people? What?

As I have said you really need to stop making generalizations about Japanese people and people from overseas. As you undoubtedly know, politics and religion do not typically come up in conversation, so how would I know how many people are opposed to it?

White with fear. Probably.

Any protests at Seaworld?

tina:

I have a friend in Wakayama.

Of course you do.

@SaitamaR

you really need to stop making generalizations about Japanese people

It is truth that only 10 or 20 (maybe 12?) Japanese came protesting on this issue although anti-hunting foreigners are making noise for decades. So, you have to show evidence that most Japanese people are in fact opposing this tradition before accusing me of making generalization.

Why would most Japanese go along with anti-hunting foreigners instead of with Taiji people who are not doing anything illegal.

If you want to accuse somebody, please do so with evidence.

I was sitting in on a 3rd-year middle school social studies class one day at the school where I teach and the topic was, "things that we do in Japan that foreigners might not understand." They generated a list of food, which included things like natto and umeboshi...then the teacher added "dolphin." The kids were surprised and the teacher said, "yes, they actually do that some places here, isn't that terrible? The poor things. We should stop that, don't you think?" ...this is just from my personal observation.

I think you two people are agreeing, so why are you arguing?

And why does it matter if this dolphin is white? And if dolphins are delicious, why not eat them?

isn't that terrible?

@Valociraptor

If you are English teacher, you have to be neutral at least. You are not in the position to brainwash Japanese kids with your country's value. How would you feel if Japanese did just the opposit in your country?

You made me convinced for the first time that at public schools, Japanese English teachers have to control the class, and native English speakers should be just an assistance.

@tina

Please re-read Valociraptor's post. It was a Japanese teacher who said "Isn't that terrible?"

Valociraptor said nothing.

Thank you. I was the silent neutral observer. These were my observations; the teacher was the one saying these things. You are really bad at this arguing thing.

Tina @Valociraptor

If you are English teacher, you have to be neutral at least. You are not in the position to brainwash Japanese kids with your country's value. How would you feel if Japanese did just the opposit in your country?

You made me convinced for the first time that at public schools, Japanese English teachers have to control the class, and native English speakers should be just an assistance.

Perhaps the teacher was one of 10 or 20 (maybe 12)people protesting? lol This perfectly illustrates why you need to stop saying things such as we Japanese and "you foreigners." There are Japanese people who do not like dolphin hunting.

Valociraptor did not say it was Japanese teacher. Even it was a Japanese teacher, s/he should be neutral at school. I think some of the parents may complain and someday the teacher may be fired.

i thought albino's were a gene mutation that you did not want to propagate in the wild.. usually did not anyway in wild species

There are Japanese people who do not like dolphin hunting.

SaitamaR, I was talking about teacher's neutrality in response to Valco. You are changing the subject.

But since you are at it, Valco's statement is not evidence that one Japanese person at the school is anti-hunting. You should show evidence that there are anti-hunting Japanese before accuse me. Such as some article or demonstration, etc.

Anyway you know J government position on this, and although you do not admit J public position is pro-hunting, so I hope anti-hunting foreigners respect Japan's position and stop hurting Japanese people's feeling by ignoring them.

Valociraptor did not say it was Japanese teacher. Even it was a Japanese teacher, s/he should be neutral at school. I think some of the parents may complain and someday the teacher may be fired.

Yes he did, so stop pretending all people of a particular nationality think alike. They don't!

Valociraptor did not say it was Japanese teacher. Even it was a Japanese teacher, s/he should be neutral at school. I think some of the parents may complain and someday the teacher may be fired.

Yes he did, so stop pretending all people of a particular nationality think alike. They don't!

The thing I don't want to hear is that we need to protect dolphins because they are cute and intelligent. These emotional statements sound very arrogant. We human need to eat. Some people can say eating vegetable is even cruel. Pigs are cute but they are not intelligent? Cow is OK to kill and eat? So contradictory story.

stop pretending all people of a particular nationality think alike. They don't!

SaitamaR, Japanese public support the govt position on this for decades. If you have contradicting evidence, show me. Until then, please refrain from accusing me.

SaitamaR, Japanese public support the govt position on this for decades. If you have contradicting evidence, show me. Until then, please refrain from accusing me.

I am not accusing you of anything. You said "Japanese" support taiji/whaling. As you most certainly know, saying such in English implies all, Japanese feel see and as I have already demonstrated, that is also absolutely incorrect. This should not be portrayed a Japanese vs. Foreigner issue; its not.

As first your evidence, you too. What proof do you have? Simply because a government allows something does not mean its popular or even correct. As I have stated before, this has less to do with everyone in Japan supporting it and far more to do with people not knowing about it. Please, give me one mainstream news article about the hunt. I'd be shocked!

tinawatanabe: "Let me ask you, have you ever met any Japanese in Japan who oppose whale or dolphin hunting in your entire life? I never have."

Yes, in fact, every single person I've met except one says they do not like eating whale and are against the hunt. Some of those, to be fair, said they refuse to watch the movie The Cove and think Western nations have no business butting in on Japan's traditions (to which they also admit it is not for science at all), but yes, Tina, I know MANY Japanese who oppose whale and dolphin hunting. So there.

"Japanese public support the govt position on this for decades. If you have contradicting evidence, show me."

Here's a better idea, Tina; since YOU are the one saying ALL JAPANESE are this way or that -- in this case support the whale hunt -- YOU provide us with the evidence that 100% of those polled support it. You know what, you cannot. Even if you give us stats showing that a majority support the government's stance and/or the whaling/dolphin hunt itself, you are admitting that there are those who oppose it. So, Tina, thank you for contradicting yourself yet again, and proving that when you paint ALL of one group of people with one brush, and ALL of others with another, you are making a fool of yourself.

Now, let's hear how you backtrack on this one.

"You made me convinced for the first time that at public schools, Japanese English teachers have to control the class, and native English speakers should be just an assistance."

How is that neutral? That's just censorship, much like your friends in China.

"Of course not all the white countries."

Yes, you did say all white countries. You didn't say, "some white countries", did you? You said "white countries", which implies those that are white, without exclusion. And in any case, it's still a ridiculous comment to begin with, forgetting about your contradictions, because there's no such thing as a 'white country'.

As first your evidence, you too. What proof do you have?

You don't seem to understand the accusing process. This is long held Japan's culture. Japan is simply doing what it has been doing for centuries. If you are not happy about it, it is YOU not Japan to come up with a reason to make it stop. But the more you do, the more you increase hatred among Japanese against you. And don't whine that Japanese do not accept foreigners.

This is long held Japan's culture. Japan is simply doing what it has been doing for centuries.

This is long held Taichi's culture. Taichi is simply doing what it has been doing for centuries.

Taichi is the only place in Japan that does this. Regional custom? Perhaps. Nationwide culture? No. Absurd.

You don't seem to understand the accusing process.

This is a message board on a news site. There is no "accusing process," nor am I accusing you of anything, simply restating what you wrote. Why won't you come up with proof? Don't have anything?

tinawatanabe: "You don't seem to understand the accusing process."

You said all Japanese support the government on it, and you've said "Japanese this, and Japanese that", and have been given proof to the contrary, but refuse to come up with proof to back your own arguments -- which usually contradict each other. You say all white countries, then claim you never said that. You say all Japanese, then claim you did not, then back it up by saying all Japanese again are this way or that.

You undermine your own arguments, Tina. Don't hate foreigners for pointing out that you cannot back up your arguments when you don't like their answers to the questions you ask, or you don't like them calling you up on your gross generalizations and contradictions.

You asked flat out if anyone has ever met a Japanese opposed to whaling/dolphin hunting, and more than one has said yes. You have not answered my question about stats saying all Japanese support it. There are two or three reasons for this: 1) most important reason: you cannot, bottom line. 2) you simply choose not to talk about Japanese on this issue except maybe those you KNOW beforehand share your opinion because you would risk meeting someone who does not and that would burst your little "all Japanese are this way" bubble. It's the same as when you said "Japanese would not do this" about the Chinese person's art the other day. When given examples of plenty of Japanese who DO do similar work, all you could do is deny what you said.

So, simply stop saying all Japanese are one way, and all foreigners another. People are people, regardless of nationality, and there are just as many if not more Japanese who are upset about what goes on in Taiji and with whaling as there are those not from Japan and living here or at their homes abroad. So, do you hate those Japanese people, tina, who are Japanese but don't fall under your brushstrokes of what Japanese people should be?

This is long held Japan's culture. Japan is simply doing what it has been doing for centuries.

Japan has been selling live dolphins for profit to aquaria and seaworlds for centuries??

I only reply to Saitama for now I don't have time.

I know it is now only in Taichi, so what? Why does it have to be nationwide to be called culture or tradition? There would be millions of traditions some parts of Japan or the others. As long as in Japan it is Japan's tradition. But I don't think it is important to define the term tradition or culture.

So you want proof that show Japanese support the govt position?

Abe expressed his stance, and no Japanese objected. 2. I saw only 12 or so Japanese oppose in the demo this year? or last. 3. I have never met any Japanese who opposes this hunt, instead everybody I know are in fact indignant at the anti-hunt foreigners. 4. Japanese don't like to interfere other people's business unless it is illegal. 5. For Japanese, Taichi people are more important than some dolphins or some anti-hunt foreigners. 6. this is long held tradition, so unless majority of Japanese oppose, no reason to stop. To be continued..

Tina Watanabe: I'm losing my argument so I'll bring in race.

What a joke! How is us ever about white people and the Japanese? Surely the Japanese aren't the only people who eat whales. You're playing the victim card again.

quercetum, I used white against world Saitama used. Later I put in US, NJ, Assie. If you think Im playing the victim crad, then don't dictate what not Japan eat.

Dear Defensive Tina, Dear defensive Tina,

It is truth that only 10 or 20 (maybe 12?) Japanese came protesting on this issue although anti-hunting foreigners are making noise for decades. So, you have to show evidence that most Japanese people are in fact opposing this tradition before accusing me of making generalization.

And we know that most young Japanese are too busy to protest, and Japan is not a country where protests happen on a large scale, speaking opinions out loud is bad manners (not 'patience and 'enduring'), so the small numbers of protesters does not really tell us much about the feelings of the Japanese people.

I have said before, I do not think it is right to tell other countries what animals to eat. I think Japanese have every right to eat what ever the heck they want (I would oppose eating human, but it's a non-issue). My concerns about eating dolphin is that it contains mercury. I do not want Japanese people's health to be harmed by eating it. (how horribly evil and white of me)

To be clear Tina, I do not support Sea Shepards actions, but they are not acting as the government of 'gaikoku' -- I mean --- all of white countries --oh wait- America, Australia and New zealand. So, we have narrowed your broad generalization to a combined total of over 343 MILLION people, which you are not a member of, yet feel you can blame all 343 million of us of Japan bashing. So tell me, how many of these people are protesting against Japan, a few hundred?

Thunderbird, I know and US also used to hunt and now stopped. There are many things Japan does, but other countries don't, that does not mean Japan also should stop. You should stop the notion that everybody shoud think and behave the same. Japanese look different, speak different, eat different, think differerent, behave differernt from you.

Tina... we aren't that different. You personally are clearly very proud to be Japanese, and you should be, but every country has traditions that others feel are abhorent... such as bull fighting. Bull fighting is cruel and should be banned. Badger baiting IS banned in the UK, as is dog fighting, hunting with dogs and various other blood sports. Some still exist, but hopefully not for much longer. Animals can't stop the cruelty inflicted upon them... so we have to.

Traditions are fine... as long as there is no cruelty involved... and the Taiji slaughter IS cruel. Please don't let your loyalty to your country blind you to the cruelty in that cove. Just saying "it's tradition - leave us alone" isn't a good argument.

this practice is barbaric and unnecessary...

@justbcuz

the small numbers of protesters does not really tell us much about the feelings of the Japanese people.

Why do you assume you know better than me about the feelings of the Japanese people? I know that's why I'm telling. Anti-hunting foreigners have given Japan and Japanese enough sufferings for decades. You should stop. Can't you sense sufferings even from the posters above who are defending Japan's stance?

Japan is not a country where protests happen on a large scale

Yes they don't waste their time. they have no objection so no protests. Use your brain,

@Thunderbird

I'm not proud of anything. I'm only helping Japan from being unjustly criticized from anti-hunt foreigners because I know they are suffering from this. Dolphins are just one of animals to Japanese, and they don't want you to push your idea on them.

every country has traditions that others feel are abhorent

Every country should behave in accordance with the law, nothing else. Abhorent? Big deal.

the Taiji slaughter IS cruel.

And so are all other animal slaughers.

@tina

I beg you to PLEASE read more carefully and stop overusing the word 'foreigner'. There are 7 billion non-Japanese in the world, and over 300 million in your 'white countries' group, and only a small number of them are saying a single word about Japan and dolphin/whale hunting.

I said CLEARLY I was not-against it, I said I do not think sea shepard is good, I said Japan can eat anything they like, and yet you still attack me because as a member of 'gaikoku.' I was trying to help you see we are not all the enemy, but yet again you attack me.

You should show evidence that there are anti-hunting Japanese before accuse me.

Greenpeace Japan. Actual Buddhists (as opposed to the make-it-up-as-you-go-along variety).

How dare you claim to speak for all of Japan!

@justbcuz

I was trying to help you see we are not all the enemy, but yet again you attack me.

I quoted the part of your comment I objected. I'll quote again.

And we know that most young Japanese are too busy to protest, and Japan is not a country where protests happen on a large scale, speaking opinions out loud is bad manners (not 'patience and 'enduring'), so the small numbers of protesters does not really tell us much about the feelings of the Japanese people.

You didn't seem to believe that Japanese have no objection on the hunt and thus no protests.

stop overusing the word 'foreigner'

I didn't in the post for you. I said 'anti-hunt foreigners', It is definitely anti-hunt foreigners or ex-foreigners because I never met any other people who oppose and make noise.

@Sense

Greenpeace Japan. Actual Buddhists

I see. How many people? I00 maybe? Untill it reaches half the Japanese population, good luck with the counting.

How dare you claim to speak for all of Japan!

How can I express it when I make a case that almost all the Japanese support this hunting? I think anti-hunt foreigners are doing exactly the same only in reverse as if almost all the Japanese were opposing this hunt.

You didn't seem to believe that Japanese have no objection on the hunt and thus no protests.

No, I said that in general Japanese don't protest (anything), so it is hard to know if there is ANY issue that people are against. This doesn't mean I think there are objectors, I am just observing that Japanese don't show us so it is hard to know their feelings about it. Say I DON'T KNOW does not means I DON'T know, not that I believe the opposite is true.

@justbcuzisay

I said that in general Japanese don't protest (anything), so it is hard to know if there is ANY issue that people are against.

Japanese do protest if it is important. I saw large protests in nuke power, re-interpretation of Constitution, Secrecy law, etc. And Japanese can change the administration if they don't like it. PM Abe clearly expressed Japan supports dolphin hunt.

So, if we see an anti-hunt protest of only 12 or so people in this internet era, then it is not hard to know if there is any issue.

I am sitting next to one of the English teachers in my junior high school in Japan so I asked her what she thought. She said she thinks it has been happening in Japan for a long time but it is really only that town that does it in mass. She thinks its fine but she has never and will never eat dolphin. She also said the only person in her family that thinks they have eaten dolphin is her grandmother. It isnt a large enough scale for me to think that it is a practice that should be done away with. Albino just means that it is missing pigment so who really cares about its aesthetic color value. Ive enjoyed going to aquariums in the USA since I was a child and I dont think I ever thought how terrible it was that these animals were captive. It was entertaining and I think that most of the animals dont have the capacity to understand what being captive really means. If they do then do they have the capacity to understand that they want something for themselves? As of yet only Great Apes have been proven to understand that there is a "self" philosophically speaking. There has been extensive testing done on dolphins and I havent read any scientific documents that says they understand that. Furthermore, unless we are all ready to eat only for nutritional value instead of because something tastes good then we should stop telling others what they should eat. Not every single Japanese person is going out buying dolphin meat. I havent met any that have actually eaten dolphin and I have asked quite a few. The people in this town are just trying to live and get by doing what they have been doing for generations. It just so happens to be capturing dolphins. Some are killed and some are sold.

Lastly, if you think it is barbaric then that is your point of view not everyone in the world. It happens that humans are omnivores which means we can eat almost anything. Until it is deemed time to ration the worlds food supply then eat what you will. I wouldn`t worry over a small group of people eating something but more over what is polluting the things we deem appropriate to eat and other living things we dont eat.

Wakayama?

I've been there a few times and was impressed by the beaches but not with the general quality of the people. I have an overwhelming impression of the towns being rundown whilst anyone of employable age made it to Osaka to live a long time ago.....

Here Japan goes again, shooting itself in the foot where its international image is concerned.

First it isn't 'Japan'. It is the dolphin hunters of Taiji.

Second, yeah because Japan is the only country with captive dolphins.