The address provided on the export license obtained by
Greenpeace is a private house, using a trading company that has
been dormant for four years and only reactivated two weeks ago.
(1)
The export has been condemned internationally and currently has
no import license. Greenpeace is calling on the government of Japan
to refuse to grant the required permits.
"At this critical stage of negotiations on the future of the
International Whaling Commission, which begin in two weeks time in
Santiago, Japan has the chance to show they are serious about
looking to the future by refusing to allow the import," said
Junichi Sato, Greenpeace Japan Whales project leader. "If they
allow the meat to come in, by this suspicious route, then it sends
a clear signal to the world's governments that it is whaling
business as usual." Sato added.
The Asian Trading Co. Ltd., Tokyo, cited on the export license
was only reactivated as a company as a "favour for a friend in
Iceland"(2). The Icelandic exporter, Kristjan Loftsson is the only
whaler left with capacity for large scale industrial whaling and
the processing of large whales, such as fin whales.
Two weeks ago, other smaller boats began hunting minke whales
off the Icelandic coast again, despite opposition from half of the
Icelandic government, and domestic and international
condemnation.
The export attempt comes as the whaling industry in Japan is
under investigation by the Tokyo district Public Prosecutor into
allegations of embezzlement, following revelations by Greenpeace
that whale meat from the Southern Ocean is being taken by crew,
with the knowledge of government and whaling fleet company
officials, for sale on the black market(3).
Other contacts: Junichi Sato: Greenpeace Japan Whales Campaign Coordinator, in Tokyo + 81 80 5088 2990Keiko Shirokawa: Greenpeace Japan Communications, in Tokyo +81 90 3470 7884Frode Pleym: Greenpeace Nordic Whales Campaigner, in Stockholm +46 703 535 766Dave Walsh: Greenpeace International Communications, in Dublin +353 87 2207023
Notes: 1. According to the company register of the Asian Trading Co. Ltd., the company's director and senior management staff resigned in June 2004, leaving the company inactive. The director re-registered the company on May 20th this year.2. From conversation between Asian Trading Co. Ltd spokesperson and Greenpeace Japan.3. Greenpeace investigation: Japan's stolen whale meat scandalhttp://www.greenpeace.org/whale-meat-scandal