50,000 support whales and the Tokyo Two

As part of a series of activities at Japanese embassies around the world, Greenpeace is also protesting the detention of two Japanese activists who have been held without charge for ten days. They expect to have a short trial tomorrow, where they can make a public statement.

Steve Shallhorn, Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO said "Japan has failed to give any assurance at the International Whaling Commission meeting that they will halt their whaling program in the Southern Ocean, while the new 'modernisation process" is deliberated this year.  The unjust behaviour towards Greenpeace activists who were exposing large scale corruption within the whaling program is causing concern around the world”.

“The clear message from people in Australia is that we want Japan to stop hunting whales in the southern ocean. Whale watching has gained immensely popularity in Australia; people want Japan to understand that whaling breaks our hearts, and only non lethal scientific whaling is permissible", said Shallhorn.

The petition delivered today comprises a list of more than 40,000 names of people who created online Origami Whales with messages telling the Japanese Prime Minister to stop killing whales, and nearly 10,000 hand made paper origami whales from Australian children.

Shallhorn added "Japan must heed the increasingly strong voice of protest to stop whaling in the Southern Ocean. The Rudd government should act on the call of the senate last week, and press Japan to release the innocent Greenpeace activists, and resume the investigation of the whale meat scandal".