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Taiji dolphin hunt begins; coastal whaling set to start

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Hi Joanne

the Japanese also love watching dolphins!

yes and also love watching many other fish.

The only difference is, is that we would rather see them in the oceans!

And many other fish too?

If you are going to contradict westerners and criticise us, then at least get your facts correct!!!!!

The fact is that you westerners are singling out the dolphin.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Tinawatanabe

You state "Who is making the really lovely people in Japan into really nasty? Why do you think you have authority to force the western dolphin-loving culture on Japanese people against their will? GTFO."

If as you say we are trying to force our "western dolphin-loving culture on Japanese people against their will", then why does your country (JAPAN) have dolphin aquariums? is it because you go there to pick your next meal? No! It's because like the Westerners, the Japanese also love watching dolphins!

The only difference is, is that we would rather see them in the oceans!

If you are going to contradict westerners and criticise us, then at least get your facts correct!!!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

tinawatanabe

The driver here is not about food, it's the profits to be made by selling the dolphins for performing.

If they only took food for their own use, and they did so ethically and without such cruely, I don't think the counte rmovement would concern themselves.

The hypocrisy emflames the critics. Dancing dolphin shows are not traditional Japanese culture.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

These activists are sometimes chasing local children, local women and local fishermen around in Taiji to film their reactions for websites

Supporting links please

2 ( +3 / -1 )

These activists are sometimes chasing local children, local women and local fishermen around in Taiji to film their reactions for websites. Don't do that! They should chase lawmakers (made law of dolphin hunt) instead of local people. This is really bullying. What a shame! Taiji is weak, poor, small town and they are very innocent people living and working peacefully. Taiji has no crime for a long time (as they know well each other and help each other) unlike America.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

it seems that westerners/europeans have kinda defiant nature to bully some weak countries' cultural events just like "Our culture is better than yours" , "We people are superior than you", something like this.

Yeah, like Japan is a weak country.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

it seems that westerners/europeans have kinda defiant nature to bully some weak countries' cultural events just like "Our culture is better than yours" , "We people are superior than you", something like this. These activists tend to go anywhere if they found good patsys to bully.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Such a non-issue this dolphin hunting business by the people of Taiji. There are so many more pressing challenges facing humanity and the environment right now to deflect so much emotional attachment to this. People are doing cruel and barbaric things to each other every day, much of the environment in some countries are completely poisoned, etc. which is on the news, why get hung-up on hunting a few hundred dolphins and whales in a sustainable manner. (Hint: It is because Japan is so easily bullied.) If overwhelming Japanese population do not care about the annual Taiji hunts this is our issue and nobody else to be concerned about. I love dolphins and whales and have encountered both many times in the wild in Hawaii, Northwest, and in Japan. Doesn't mean I can't enjoy a little bit of whale sashimi or dolphin stew occasionally. Cows, Pigs, horses, dogs, you name it can all be our sacred animal or pets and food depending on culture, etc. The fact that dolphins and some types of whales like Minke whales are not endangered and plentiful in Japan coastal waters means that a sustainable hunting program should not be blocked by anyone other than Japan's own population.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

It seems that many countries have some kinda cultural events like Taiji. Everybody konws its cruel but some people have to do it to live there. Understand something why most Japanese don't complain/blame Taiji about annual dolphin hunt.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

No Activist complains about both

I guess you don't get out much. Sea Shepherd does plenty of complaining about the Faroe Islands. Plenty of people complain about the use of 1080 poison, in New Zealand as well as Australia (It's already banned in most developed countries). change.org and other sites have petitions demanding both be stopped.

http://www.seashepherd.org/grindstop/ http://www.wlpa.org/1080_poison.htm

You have lost me with your emotion garb about mercury

You have lost me - I haven't mentioned mercury, emotionally or otherwise.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Of course it cruel. The Uk stand by and allows the annual whale kill in the Faroe Island. because it cultural. In Australia they invented a poison bate just for foxes it call 10/80 it kill 100,000 plus a year. No Activist complains about both and I don,t also. because each has a purpose. One is cultural the other is a feral pest that kill native mammal which have no protection against carnivores. You have lost me with your emotion garb about mercury which has no relevance concerning this story and it 2015.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

These people are fisherman who once a year hunt dolphins.

Once a year? You make it sound like it's a single event, blink and you'll miss it. The 'season' lasts six months.They spend half of every year terrorising dolphins and stabbing them to death. Thousands of animals are killed each year, and they are killed by a method that does not conform to the recognized requirement for “immediate insensibility” and would not be tolerated or permitted in any regulated slaughterhouse process in the developed world.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10888705.2013.768925#.Vem68euOVk5

You say you fought to get fishing nets changed, to prevent dolphins being killing (drowned) accidentally. That's very commendable. But if killing dolphins accidentally is wrong (and I think we agree it is, and should be stopped if at all possible, yes?) how come you see nothing wrong in the deliberate, planned and inhumane killing of dolphins?

It's like saying traffic accidents are bad and must be stopped, but deliberately and repeatedly driving your car into a crowd of people is fine.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

ClippetyClop: This a annual culture event which has been going on for millennia . Saddam hanging shown live on TV by the USA is barbaric. Culture event, Business, they make money out of it, sound very familiar, your sure you have not got Xmas and Christianity mix up.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

They are not evil or bad people. This is a cultural event.

Agreed, agreed, disagree. It's not a cultural event, it's business. And there are better businesses to be in than this. It's 2015, a developed country should not be doing this. How can you watch the images of the hunt and not feel something for the prey? Is this how you want the world to see you?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I am for dolphins not being fished. Has I have indicated in my comments about fisherman around the world having a bigger problem with dolphin kills in their by-caught then this annual hunt. I hassle for the DAF ( Dept of Agr & fisheries Australia) for years about designing nets so Dolphins and turtle can escape. Yet I am slap by the same thinking people. So I realise there more emotional thinking then thinking of possibilities to stop this hunt. These people are fisherman who once a year hunt dolphins. They are not evil or bad people. This is a cultural event. Yet people want to demonise these people. You would think intelligent people would lean from demonising peoples only creates more of a problem. So pull back on your emotion and contribute to the debate in a positive way please.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Paulmqs - I'm assuming you're one of those people who don't see anything special about dolphins? Just a big squeaky fish to you? Why are people ALWAYS comparing dolphins to bloody farm animals? I really don't get that... it's like saying it's okay to kill a gorilla and eat it... hey just food, right? How about an elephant? Okay to chow down on an elephant? How going round to someone's house and killing and eating their dog? Yeah?

It's almost like people are deliberately ignoring the fact that these are sentient creatures with complex social lives and superior animal intelligence. I really don't understand why people are ignoring that...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Let the Japanese eat what they like. Just find a way to kill the Dolphins in a less brutal manner.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Tina, your country and my country are both islands, and they've had long histories of fishing and whaling. What's different is that at some point we realised that we were killing these magnificent creatures to the point of extinction... and stopped.

Let me ask you another question: a group of dolphins were washed up on a Japanese beach a while back and everyone rushed to help them, to save them. You say there's nothing wrong with the Taiji slaughter... would you have helped those stranded dolphins?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Thunderbird2, Food is important and precious. Japan has very low food sufficiency. It is important to maintain food supply.

Then why not just start eating people? Soylent yellow

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I don't usually give a flying about thumbs-down, but this surprises me. Do people really think a pig in a revolting, stinking battery farm has a better existence than a wild dolphin?

As I implied, the Taiji hunt is utterly revolting....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thunderbird2, Food is important and precious. Japan has very low food sufficiency. It is important to maintain food supply.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Cultural imperialists from overwhelmingly Western countries should butt out of Japan's business

It's there again isn't it, that same defensiveness? Anti-cruelty has somehow become a synonym for anti-Japan. The question of whether it is cruel or right is secondary. We've been doing it for a long time so it's okay. Tell me NihonRyu, have the people of Japan also been using motor boats and selling dolphins to Chinese aquariums for centuries?

I don't believe the way Taiji people are doing is particularly cruel

Does this not look particularly cruel to you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzN0iVJwfLg

2 ( +5 / -3 )

"There is no need to slaughter either the dolphins or whales, NONE., It's stupid arrogance and pride that keeps it going."

It is pure arrogance to think that you are the moral authority on what other people should or should not eat.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Animals are a part of humanity... The way "human animals" treat other "animals" gives away their TRUE character - those who are cruel to animals are most likely to be curel to humans too... The "Kobé" incident (several years ago) just proves that starting off with small animals leads to "bigger animals" = in that instance, a little boy was beheaded...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It is inconceivable that some people do not follow the same rules and value the same things as us. We should convert the heathens! Ours is the true and righteous way.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Shame some cultures are different.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Cheo: if you really have the need to know. No Bragging Our licence was for Barra not Dolphin. It the captains call because it is his freezer and he did not any dolphins wasting space. After that season I being a Champane for dolphin and turtle friendly ( that was 35 years ago Cleo ) nets which are the only net allow used with connection with a Barra licence in those waters saving thousand of dolphins and Turtles. Stop trying to force your lifestyle on the other.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

But I know people like you regard yourself an angel and Japan evil, and never stop harassing Japan

And there it is - the lamentably predictable appeal for victim status. Pathetic.

If this disgusting act were not being carried out for no other reason than greed, despite a mendacious claim to "culture", then civilised people couldn't complain.

If you insist on committing disgusting acts, you're not the victim when people are disgusted by them.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Here's a question for Tina and other Japanese posters: do you ever watch wildlife documentaries about whales and dolphins? If so, when you see dolphins playing and interacting with each other, interacting peacefully with humans who mean them no harm... how does that make you feel? Do you look at a dolphin and wonder how it tastes, or do you marvel at a wonderful creature in its element?

Same with whales, and the recent stories of individuals coming up to boats covered in garbage and allowing the humans to remove the ropes, plastic, etc...

The BBC showed a live series over the past few weeks about a place in America called Monteray Bay where whales and dolphins come in to feed in safety. The place was also once home to whalers not unlike Taiji... and look at it now. They make more money from tourists and whale watchers than they could have dreamed of in whaling times.

If Taiji stopped the slaughter and turned to tourism they would become a sensation... rather than a byword for DEATH!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Your sick Cheo: if you really have the need to know. No Bragging Our licence was for Barra not Dolphin. It the captains call because it is his freezer and he did not any dolphins wasting space. After that season I being a Champane for dolphin and turtle friendly ( that was 35 years ago Cleo ) nets which are the only net allow used with connection with a Barra licence in those waters saving thousand of dolphins and Turtles. Stop trying to force your lifestyle on the other. Go and be a Vegan but don,t bred because of your selfish lifestyle and the long term effect of being a Vegan it will impose on Japan Healthy care in the future.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If you REALLY wanted to stop this, design a belly harness that shoots 22 caliber bullets then train a bunch to defend against attack. They're smart enough. Shouldn't be too difficult.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

@cleo

Absolutely.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I'd rather spend a life free in the sea which ends with a spear in the head than a life in a dark, stinking cage

Then spare a thought for the 'prettier' younger dolphins who are corralled away from their families (who are then stabbed to death), to be sent off to a life of slavery in a small, stinking pool, literally jumping through hoops for a diet of dead fish.

Worst of both worlds?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

A real disgrace for the Japanese people. Wish more Japanese would stand up and voice their objections sad that they don't.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Separately, Japanese fisheries officials have announced they would start an annual coastal whaling hunt with plans to catch 51 minke whales over the next two months, part of what Tokyo says is research but which has attracted strong criticism abroad.

That would be hilarious if it wasn't so sick!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Not to condone the hunt for a minute, but I'd rather spend a life free in the sea which ends with a spear in the head than a life in a dark, stinking cage which ends with a bolt-gun in the head....

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Onsen is a big part of Japanese culture. No filming allow there.

On the contrary, there are any number of programmes on TV almost any night of the week, extolling the praises of this or that onsen or onsen-yado, with strategic camera angles and judiciously-draped towels to hide the naughty bits. Not that we don't know the naughty bits are there. No blue taups, Keep Out signs or grunting villagers brandishing boathooks to keep people away. Even after all the brouhaha at Taiji, many Japanese simply do not believe what happens to the dolphins.

we cut of out ours net and thrown back into the water dead is way more then this annual event.

John-san, are you actually bragging that you were worse than any Taiji dolphin-killer? And that that's a reason to let this bloody slaughter continue?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Tokiyo

There is no difference between domesticated animals and wild ones because they have same life. Most people all over the world sometimes eat more or less wild animals. Food is food. Eat or not depends on how you think.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

But I know people like you regard yourself an angel and Japan evil, and never stop harassing Japan. I'm glad that police and immigration officers are beefing up the security.

Your rantings have gone from illogical to almost hysterical. I'll put this quote on the Wiki page for "Straw Man Fallacy", it's hilarious. And then I should feast on dolphin as the police may kick me out for not doing so.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Onsen is a big part of Japanese culture. No filming allow there. These Active travel from 10,000 ,s km, burning fossil fuels to hassel a few fisherman whom set net that the dolphins swimming into and get caught. I was a fisherman in Northern Australian waters for a 6 months season when was 20 and the amount of dolphins and we cut of out ours net and thrown back into the water dead is way more then this annual event. So what is Actives real agenda

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Onsen is a big part of Japanese culture. No filming allow there unless your are a pervs. Are these Activist ,culture pervs ? Who travel from 10,000 ,s km, burning fossil fuels to hassel a few fisherman whom set net that the dolphins swimming into and get caught. I was a fisherman in Northern Australian waters for a 6 months season when was 20 and the amount of dolphins and we cut of out ours net and thrown back into the water dead is way more then this annual event.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why do you think you have authority to force the western dolphin-loving culture on Japanese people against their will? GTFO.

and

your kids don't have to eat whatever served on the plate. 2. You can change schools. 3. You can change the country you live in.

You never disappoint. Keep the comedy flowing!

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Sickening. 最低!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

It's the modern 'tradition' of slaughter done in the name of profit

How about the beef industry in your country? The cow is not slaughered in the name of profit? Isn't eating beef your country's tradition? Hypocrite is not nice.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I firmly believe in not interfering with other peoples cultures. There are more than enough bad things happening in other >countries too.

This ain't StarTrek movie with their prime directive, put our head in the sand, close our eyes our shut our mouth will certainly not help to build a better society down here, I have no doubt this is clearly what those fishermen want, do their dirty slaughtering for cash behind closed doors, undisturbed.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I firmly believe in not interfering with other peoples cultures

We're not talking about serving tea or arranging flowers here you know. It's the modern 'tradition' of slaughter done in the name of profit that's being discussed. Let's not pretend there are any spiritual aspects to Taiji's tradition

There are various hidden traditional ceremonies around the world that forbids any photography or entrance of others not part of the group. Sorry but your reasoning is flawed.

That's because they are sacred, as opposed to shameful

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I firmly believe in not interfering with other peoples cultures. There are more than enough bad things happening in other countries too.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

If you're going to slaughter dolphins and whales, stay out of the waters of other countries and do it in your own waters at least!

Taiji fishermen are always staying away from waters of other countries and in their water. So it seems no problem.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Peter Nozawa Thurwachter - Weeds vs crops. Dolphins are mammals, they generate their own body heat and thus they consume much more fish compared to sharks of comparable size. Thus are pests to those who fish the seas.

Here we go again! Another ignorant defence of this barbaric practice. The WHO deemed dolphin meat unfit for human consumption due to the high rate of mercury and pesticides in the meat. But, that is not important to those with very narrow minded points of view.

As for your comments about kangaroos and koalas, kanagaroo meat is very healthy and in abundant supply I don't know where you ge the info about the koala culling. There are a few areas that are overpopulated and the koalas do need to be controlled, but the number you mentioned is no where near the truth. Furthermore, this has nothing to do with the dolphin hunt in Jaoan and should not be used as any sort of comparison.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If you're going to slaughter dolphins and whales, stay out of the waters of other countries and do it in your own waters at least!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

If it started in the 1969, it's not culture.

Any and all culture has to start sometime to become a culture and has nothing to do with the length of time as long as there it is carried on with a certain set of criteria met to obtain a brand.

If you have to hide it from your own citizens, it's not culture.

If you ban photography and filming of it, it's not culture.

There are various hidden traditional ceremonies around the world that forbids any photography or entrance of others not part of the group. Sorry but your reasoning is flawed.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

tinawatanabeSEP. 04, 2015 - 10:07AM JST Why not? 1. your kids don't have to eat whatever served on the plate. 2. You can change schools. 3. You can change the country you live in.

What a lovely sentiment. "If you don't want to submit to every petty, abusive, and barbaric practice I personally want to demand you submit to, you should leave the country."

7 ( +8 / -1 )

If it started in the 1969, it's not culture.

If you have to hide it from your own citizens, it's not culture.

If you ban photography and filming of it, it's not culture.

This is simply a disgrace. Japan should be ashamed.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

There was a item JT pubish a few months ago, this promoting aussie beef. So you can not compare Aussie beef killing methods to the dolphin hunt. the reason why is because that was a pay for promotion not a jouralish report JT?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

There is always somebody showing a "go home" card when one is exposing a barbaric, right-winged, pseudo traditional event since 1960 covering up a more down to earth commercial act for money.

Why not? 1. your kids don't have to eat whatever served on the plate. 2. You can change schools. 3. You can change >>the country you live in.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

John-San

Well said. I agree with you.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Defenders of the hunt say it is a tradition

It started at the end of 1960s.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Westerners do not see a need in this dolphin hunt. They are full of emotional fuzzes. I see Aussie beef in America steaks houses throughout out Japan. These poor cow when due for market, goes through hell. First they force out of his environment into a very cramped truck in outback Australia. Then carted to 500 to 1000 kms to port. Then they forced onto a very cramp cattle ship. THen ship to Vietnam. They are then slaultered in the most inhuman style and condition. Then the meat is packed and ship to Japan and sold at haft the cost of Japanese beef to these American Steak house and supermarket. So what is the is worst. I stick my neck out and say the prolong toucher to market and the killing method of the cow is worst.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

A small town doing evil. One of the many victims of the self righteous ones.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

For the thumbs down I receive. This whale behaviour was happening for millennia. The Aboriginals ( Natives of Australia) and the Ocars work together for thousands of years before Europeans even took up whaling. I take it that the Japan native hunted whale during the same period. A culture like the Aborigial which has lived for millennias

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just don't feed it to my kids!

Why not? 1. your kids don't have to eat whatever served on the plate. 2. You can change schools. 3. You can change the country you live in.

-24 ( +0 / -24 )

Another national disgrace for the Japanese people.... who can't be bothered to bring an end to it.

Why is it a national disgrace? It's only happening in this one town, and most Japanese people don't even know anything about it.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

I'm very sick and tired of this topic. I (never been) heard that this is one of the most tiniest town/village's business. Millions of big people are bullying the very tiny town's people,,, women and children living there. Activists should accuse/protest the Japanese government first before Taiji's people if activists have objections. They seem very innocent fishermen and local people living there.

-14 ( +1 / -15 )

Alright! It's the time of year to stack the fridges and freezers with heavy metal and pesticide laced dolphin meat! Yum! Yum! Just don't feed it to my kids!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

you can see that philosophy in action when you meet some really lovely people in Japan who turn really nasty once Taiji is brought up. All of a sudden, its us vs them.

Who is making the really lovely people in Japan into really nasty? Why do you think you have authority to force the western dolphin-loving culture on Japanese people against their will? GTFO.

-17 ( +2 / -19 )

What a miserable Friday morning ! The two "top/main" news items made me "up" my breakfast... :'(

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Another national disgrace for the Japanese people.... who can't be bothered to bring an end to it.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

The simple fact is that Japan's disingenuous, selfish, irresponsible posturing in these matters is possible only thanks to the good deeds of other nations. If all other ex-whaling nations took up the practice as Japan has, the species would quickly go extinct and Japanese consumers would be unable to enjoy their precious whale meat at any price. Japanese whale meat consumers should bear this in mind while they scornfully accuse others of "cultural imperialism." No my friend, it is only because we unselfishly abstain that you are able to continue to stuff your gullets.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Sensato is spot on. Taiji is a tiny part of a much larger problem.

This siege mentality is what keeps the rightwing nuts in power. The irony is, the siege of the Japanese people is maintained by the nuts advocating this us vs the world myth. That's how they survive. The rest of the world is trying to bring Japan back in from the cold and end the siege. Unfortunately, the masses have been taught to believe that you can't really trust the outside world.

you can see that philosophy in action when you meet some really lovely people in Japan who turn really nasty once Taiji is brought up. All of a sudden, its us vs them.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Seems like Taiji fishermen have found a cushy niche where they can fill orders from aquariums especially from China and receive 4 to 5 million yen per dolphin. Not bad business for them especially in the remote area where there's very limited employment options. As for food demand, nothing whet appetite of nationalist Japanese than westerners opposing dolphin hunting vociferously. Yahoo Japan news commends get abound in comments in the line of, "Oh, westerns are butting in again, oh, I just wanna place order for dolphin meat. Where can I do it?"

0 ( +4 / -4 )

PTownsend:

I’ve read posters who justify sea mammal hunts based on cultural traditions, claiming the traditions must be maintained.

Footbinding used to be part of Chinese culture but hell will freeze over if you'll find any Chinese woman willing to return to that tradition. Some traditions naturally disappear with time as a country advances.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I see part of the reason for continuing the hunts as purely economic.

@PTownsend

I slightly disagree. At this point, the hunts seem to have very little to do with economics, but instead are being pursued mainly out of spite — and any Japanese authority figure who suggested a shift to alternative economic activity would be lynched by Japanese society at large for being unpatriotic.

The hunts are now kept alive by a siege mentality and sense of defiance that has developed among people who feel like the people of Japan stand alone as victims pitted against an international community of ill wishers. They have become a symbol among many in Japan of the nation's struggle to maintain its "Japaneseness." For instance, in my children's Japanese elementary school the students were fed whale meat once a year with the educational aim of heightening their awareness of Japanese culture.

This "us versus everyone else outside of Japan, we are at a disadvantage" mindset is an integral part of Japan's social fabric. It fuels much of Japan's competitive drive and success in business, sports and education, but also makes it difficult for Japanese people to relate honestly with people from the rest of our planet.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Show this proud "tradition" live on TV and all the big screens throughout Japan. Then we will see.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

Twelve boats set out for the hunt, but they returned with no catch

GOOD

16 ( +17 / -1 )

barbaric

11 ( +13 / -2 )

I’ve read posters who justify sea mammal hunts based on cultural traditions, claiming the traditions must be maintained. To me the hunts are memes, artifacts based on shared myths and fictions, and like all other cultural memes can be used to include and exclude, create an us v. them.

Cynic that I can be I see part of the reason for continuing the hunts as purely economic. They’re a way to ensure that specific niches of the population can continue to make a living, just like they’ve always done.

If it is economics, has the government thought about training people in these places for other employment? Are the local schools in these areas revising curriculum to prepare students for a changing world? Or is it instead our way, our traditions - we’re fossilized and can’t change?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Tokyo argues that the program is permitted under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, and is aimed at better understanding whale behavior.

Kill something to understand their behavior? Please explain the logic.

18 ( +20 / -2 )

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