With more of a hullabaloo than ever this year over Japan’s annual whale hunt, Prime Minister Fukuda recently felt the need to enter the fray by declaring, “I don’t think it is right for the discussions to turn emotional, especially with the recent violent act against the Japanese research vessel … so we should try to continue with our efforts to try to explain that we are engaged in this research whaling activity from a scientific viewpoint.”
Something of a standard statement from Japan it has to be said, although sentiments within the country itself send out much more in the way of mixed signals, as to some, whaling is regarded as mainly about rights rather than research. The banner below brashly brushing off the party line by boasting that whale is Japanese food culture.
Which, whether right or wrong, really begs the question as to how much is about science,
compared to that of sustenance,
and sheer single-mindedness?
Colin says
I posted this link last week in response to one of Lee’s previous pieces but I see no reason not to do so again.
http://www.whalesrevenge.com/
Go there.
Sign.
Send the link to everyone you know.
Paul says
In the top picture with the banner about eating whales, does that follow that the banner in the background is about eating cats?
Paul says
In the whale diagram, showing the best bits to eat, there seems to be an awful lot of waste bits and only a few hotspots of tastiness. What do they do with all the rest of it?
Lee says
“In the top picture with the banner about eating whales, does that follow that the banner in the background is about eating cats?”
Nothing so interesting unfortunately Paul, it’s just an ad for a delivery company.
As for the rest of the whale, they must be the bits that are for scientific research….
Peter says
I wonder if the ship the whale meat by Kuro Necko　(the delivery company)?
The Truth says
This slaughter has nothing to do with science….and it never has. It’s a pathetic lie that Japan continues to hide behind.
Between the Japanese whale hunting and the Chinese with their killing of tigers, sharks, and bears (all for silly ancient medicines)…Asians are certainly doing their best to wipe out entire animal species. They need to get a clue before it’s too late.
This whole thing makes me sick.
Charles Nelson Reilly says
@ The Truth:
I believe it would be a disservice if I were to let that comment go without reminding you of the old adage, something about glass houses and stones…
More directly, I must point out that the number of creatures big and small which are being or have been killed as a direct result of, say, the industrial revolution and all technological innovations which are a direct result thereof, is exponentially greater than the number of species (not to mention individuals) being culled for the sake of these “silly ancient medicines” and the “pathetic lie” of science. Now I do not personally support the whale harvest, but I think it best to be remembered that, no matter how deplorable we consider a certain activity practiced by a culture it would be considerably more deplorable for us, as a foreign entity, to impose our moral values and judgments upon said culture.
Now, on a more personal note: it appears as if you are directing these disparaging statements to a specific race, the Asians. If this is categorically incorrect, I’m sorry for what I’m about to say, if not, listen up: I HOPE YOU GET BUTT CANCER!!
Bunny says
I had a terrible bout of “BUTT CANCER”, and would NEVER wish it upon anyone. All this moral smoke blowing, well requires a butt to inhale it through.
Peace and tranquility to you all, for time is but a short slip away from death… and I know… because I had BUTT CANCER!
Paul says
I wonder if the Japanese power their giant robots with whale parts. It would explain a lot.
Come on Japanese, come clean about your whale-part powered giant robots.
The Truth says
Cool down Chuckie, and check your damn facts before you run your mouth. Is there anything in my post that is factually incorrect??? No. You may not like it, but it’s 100% true. While all peoples are responsible for some wildlife destruction, this is the TOKYO Times web site….and we’re discussing WHALE HUNTING. So yes, my comments will be focused on Asians.
So quit acting like a pathetic douchebag, and shut the hell up.
tormsen says
The Japanese should just be more honest “Whale tastes good, the minkies can be harvested without destroying their species, shut up”. Because thats all true. I believe that the anti-whaling groups should get off the moral indignation wagon and learn to bridge the gap with the whalers. No one wants the whale population to drop to dangerously low levels, this is common ground that can be used to build a compromise that allows everyone to keep face. The cultural gap between the Japanese and the foreign environmentalist movement is what is causing most of this ongoing stupid saga.
If you can whale without destroying the species, then Japan should be able to. There has to be a way to keep whales both thriving in the ocean and on the hot plate indefinately.
King Riley Noble says
i Think whaling is a load of bull shit it is so dumb and reasearch my ass. do not lie japan we are watching you!!!!!