Whaling receives criticism in Japan

Whaling is not a Japanese tradition. There is no need to conduct whaling under the name of research when there is an oversupply of whale and the demand is unlikely to increase. It makes me angry that Japan goes against global convention (…). We should stop whaling immediately. Tokyo

It is simply unjustifiable that an endangered species is not only killed but put on the market in the name of research. (…) They conduct it under the name of "science" and insist that whaling is a "traditional culture" to people around the world as well in Japan. (…) Both the government and public who advocate whaling should be awaken from their self-deceptive view of whaling as "traditional" or "scientific." Kochi

When you say "research", what parts of whales are you actually "researching"? Aren't there other alternatives such as stool tests? (…) Please stop whaling as it is a waste of life, and we need to teach our children the importance of life. Osaka

What is the purpose of whaling? We do not want to eat whale. If "research" is the real purpose, we can do it without killing them, can't we? Do not waste our taxes catching whales but instead protect them. PLEASE!! Tokyo

Don't try to fool us (the Japanese citizen) about whales. The Japanese government should stop maneuvering its people to hold an erroneous public opinion by preventing their access to accurate information. Here are three reasons why they should stop: The fact that all the companies in the fishing industry no longer wish to start whaling again is being neglected. Even if whaling is permitted, there won't be any companies willing to undertake it; Although there are whales that should be designated as endangered species by Ministry of the Environment, they aren't designated because that is under the jurisdiction of the fisheries agency; The view that whaling is our unique cultural heritage is over stretched and confused with the whale eating in post-war scarcity. Traditionally, whale-eating is a culture of coastal fishermen, not urban people in Edo, Kyoto, or Osaka, or farmers. It is an ignored fact that a vast majority of Japanese have never tasted whales. Osaka

There is no national consensus on wasting taxpayer's money to make whales a source of protein. Kumamoto

Food culture varies from country to country, and it is often important for survival. Whaling in Japan once was undoubtedly important when food was scarce; however, regarding current food abundance in Japan and the environmental concerns in the world, there is no point in continuing whaling. I wish, from the bottom of my heart, that they would stop wasting our tax money on whaling and start protecting whales instead. Tokyo

I regret that I had been indifferent towards the whaling problem for so long. It is the time to reconsider "research whaling". The government should be accountable to its people. Toyama

It is rare to observe such an obvious act against national interests. I understand that Japan is unavoidably nervous about access to marine resources, but then we should leave the idea of being advantageous over other countries, respect the international consensus, and approach the issue with the virtue of modesty. Our urgent tasks are not whaling in the Antarctic Ocean but the recovery of domestic environment and the restoration of coastal fisheries. Saitama

I am dead set against research whaling. I cannot see any point in causing antipathy in international society with research whaling that does not appear to be important for Japan, only expensive. (…) There are plenty of problems in our nation. Please do not embarrass our people with shameless actions any more. (…) Osaka

I ate whale in extreme poverty after the war. I haven't eaten whale since then for almost a half century. We don't lose anything by not eating whale. Please stop eating whales and free them, as they are not a prolific animal. Mie

I am fifty years old. I was born in a mountain village in Akita and raised in a rather poor environment even for a peasant. During my childhood, whale meat was a rare treat, but I do not wish to have it again. (…) Do Japanese people really want to eat whale? Let us have a national poll. I'm against whaling. Is there any other country that kills such a large-sized mammal like whale for research? Please stop. Shizuoka

I am a seaman. Most seamen that I know are against whaling (…). I miss those whales I used to encounter often during a voyage. (…) I can no longer see those whales in the areas where I used to see them almost everyday. Research whaling is commercial whaling disguised in an academic coat. They can conduct research without killing whales. They gloss over things with the word "food culture", but it is a rather new culture born with the appearance of power-driven vessels. In the first place, I can't understand the people who think whale meat is tasty. It stinks! When whaling was in its full-bloom, they didn't appreciate it, but once the price of whale meat rose they jumped on it like those upstarts do on luxury brand goods. Those abject people are the shame of Japan. If whaling is a Japanese ancient tradition, we should ban the use of contemporary whaling technique and allow the use of ancient technique only. Ehime

Statements like whales are eating up other fish, and we need to protect marine resources are not good excuses for allowing research whaling. It is not they but we who are eating up the resources. It is also important to clarify how much or on what our tax payment is allocated. Chiba

Environmental issues give Japan a chance to take a leading role as an advanced nation. To be among the world leaders we should be the first to protect the environment. Please stop whaling. Osaka

Why are they "researching"? What has been the outcome so far? Food is abundant in Japan. Do we need whales on the table? Tokyo

I have never eaten whale nor felt a need for it. Why do they kill an animal on the verge of extinction? We are losing precious life for something that is not important. Let's be courageous and take action! Japan should protect whales. Aichi

Is this the Japanese manner? Is our nation primitive? Science tells us we do not need to kill whales to understand the details of their biology. Don't repeatedly commit crimes in the world seas, just because we cannot fish as much tuna as before. It's disturbing! Japan is the only "advanced" country that kills whale in areas that other countries preserve or in the Antarctic Ocean. Can you imagine? How do you feel if others intrude on our commitment with problems in the same manner? International cooperation and compliance with U.N. resolution sound so empty. Don't make us and our children live in shame in the international society. We didn't know our taxes were used on such a thing. It must be disclosed! Tokyo

Living overseas, I see how those negative acts [such as whaling] by Japan draw international attention outside of Japan, and feel terribly ashamed and pathetic. Recognize this: Although the world respects and admires Japanese art and culture, it is concerned and distrusting of the behaviors and measures of its government. If Japan makes a successful turn from whaling to protection of whales, it will be a wonderful appeal to the world. Out of my love for Japan, I sincerely ask the government to regain international credibility. Overseas

The following is from a letter by a Japanese citizen living in Australia, sent to Junichi Sato, the whales campaign director for Greenpeace Japan:

This year, actions undertaken by young American actresses, Australian actresses, surfers, and others and your article published in the newspaper have helped to dispel the notion that there is ill will against the Japanese and to convince some of us albeit in small numbers that the Japanese government and whaling industries (I apologize for not having a formal name for the latter) have been withholding the truth from the Japanese people as a way to protect their own interests and highlighting only positive points for the media. However, in this critical year, I feel that unless we Japanese act appropriately, we may be forcefully crushed by other nations. If we do not take advantage of the opportunity that this year represents, I fear that we will, at the very least, be unable to stop Antarctic whaling while retaining our pride as Japanese people.

Read the entire letter here