Japan admits tsunami funds
used to defend whaling fleet
Japan has admitted that some of its disaster funds earmarked for earthquake and tsunami relief will instead go to boost security for its so-called "scientific" whale hunts. The Japan Times reports:
It was a comparatively minor entry in the annual, ritualized battle between pro- and anti-whalers. Japan's whaling fleet pulled out of Shimonoseki port near Nagasaki earlier this week on its way to another controversial four-month Antarctic cull. In the fine print of the 2011 departure, however, was a PR land mine that would detonate and send ripples across the world. Traveling with the whalers was what the Japanese media called "beefed-up security," a euphemism for a party of coast guard officers who would ride shotgun in the converted harpoon ship Shonan Maru 2, making sure the fleet achieved its target catch. That vessel gained some notoriety last year when it plowed through the Ady Gil ocean-going speedboat, cutting it in half.
Japan Fisheries Agency officials admitted that about ¥2.28 billion (US$29 million) would be taken from a ¥500 billion (US$6.4 billion) portion of disaster funds earmarked for fisheries-related spending, approved by Japan's parliament last month.
These monies apparently went to equip the Shonan Maru 2 with unspecified security equipment designed to win the battle against the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's Ady Gil. This even though 95 percent of Japanese admit to rarely or never eating whale meat and presumably don't give a damn whether whaling continues.
Japan's rationale: That safer hunts will help whaling towns recover from earthquake and tsunami damage.
Question: $29 million for a party of coast guard officers? What else did they send out with the whalers? Torpedoes?
This article was originally posted at Mother Jones
These monies apparently went to equip the Shonan Maru 2 with unspecified security equipment designed to win the battle against the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's Ady Gil. This even though 95 percent of Japanese admit to rarely or never eating whale meat and presumably don't give a damn whether whaling continues.
Japan's rationale: That safer hunts will help whaling towns recover from earthquake and tsunami damage.
Question: $29 million for a party of coast guard officers? What else did they send out with the whalers? Torpedoes?
This article was originally posted at Mother Jones
Take action!
please sign the AVAAZ-petition
December 14, 2011
Right now, the Japanese whaling fleet is barrelling south to hunt thousands of majestic whales, escorted by a 30 million dollar security force paid for out of the tsunami disaster relief fund!
Anti-whaling champions were successfully blocking the Japanese whale hunt -- which is exactly why the Japanese government decided to swipe money from relief efforts to stop the activists from bothering the boats while they engage in their brutal slaughter.
If we can stop the whaling security and get the relief money back for desperate Japanese citizens still languishing in radioactive hotspots,we could help end the whale hunt for good. Japanese PM Noda is already under enormous pressure after scandalous failures to compensate victims of the nuclear disaster.
A massive global outcry can spark outrage inside and outside Japan and force Noda to use precious relief funds to save people, not kill whales - sign the petition at the link and share this campaign with everyone.
Thank you!
EU Parliament calls on Japan to stop whaling
or risk harpooning trade talks
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The European Parliament today called for an end to Japanese so-called ‘scientific whaling’ as part of a resolution on EU-Japan trade talks. The adopted text notes the serious divergences between the EU and Japan on issues related to the management of fisheries and whaling, notably Japan’s whaling under the guise of science.
This news was welcomed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW -www.ifaw.org).
The resolution calls on the EU Council to authorize the Commission to begin free trade negotiations with Japan. In June Parliament requested that the Council hold its decision on the matter until Parliament has expressed its views.
“Parliament could not be clearer in their priorities,” said Barbara Slee IFAW Political Officer. “They are in favour of trade and growth with trade partners who fulfil their international obligations like respecting the ban on commercial whaling.”
Since the passage of the Lisbon Treaty all trade agreements need to be approved by the European Parliament.
“This is wonderful news for whales who face more threats now than ever before,” continued Slee. “The Commission now has extremely clear instructions. The most direct path to successful negotiations is for Japan to take note of the EU’s stated goal of an end to so-called scientific whaling and the creation of a sanctuary.”
"Today the European Parliament reiterated its total opposition to commercial and so-called scientific whaling,” said MEP David Martin.” As the EU comes closer to launching negotiations with Japan for a free trade agreement we call on Japan to review its whaling strategy and respect the global ban on this outdated and barbaric practice."
Since 1987 Japan has killed more than 13,000 whales in its two ‘scientific whaling’ programs.
“The EU supports the global ban on commercial whaling and this trade deal must reflect this position.,” concluded Slee.
A 2009 Copenhagen Economics study showed potential export gains from a free trade agreement to be €43bn for the EU and €53bn for Japan.
Source: IFAW
The European Parliament today called for an end to Japanese so-called ‘scientific whaling’ as part of a resolution on EU-Japan trade talks. The adopted text notes the serious divergences between the EU and Japan on issues related to the management of fisheries and whaling, notably Japan’s whaling under the guise of science.
This news was welcomed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW -www.ifaw.org).
The resolution calls on the EU Council to authorize the Commission to begin free trade negotiations with Japan. In June Parliament requested that the Council hold its decision on the matter until Parliament has expressed its views.
“Parliament could not be clearer in their priorities,” said Barbara Slee IFAW Political Officer. “They are in favour of trade and growth with trade partners who fulfil their international obligations like respecting the ban on commercial whaling.”
Since the passage of the Lisbon Treaty all trade agreements need to be approved by the European Parliament.
“This is wonderful news for whales who face more threats now than ever before,” continued Slee. “The Commission now has extremely clear instructions. The most direct path to successful negotiations is for Japan to take note of the EU’s stated goal of an end to so-called scientific whaling and the creation of a sanctuary.”
"Today the European Parliament reiterated its total opposition to commercial and so-called scientific whaling,” said MEP David Martin.” As the EU comes closer to launching negotiations with Japan for a free trade agreement we call on Japan to review its whaling strategy and respect the global ban on this outdated and barbaric practice."
Since 1987 Japan has killed more than 13,000 whales in its two ‘scientific whaling’ programs.
“The EU supports the global ban on commercial whaling and this trade deal must reflect this position.,” concluded Slee.
A 2009 Copenhagen Economics study showed potential export gains from a free trade agreement to be €43bn for the EU and €53bn for Japan.
Source: IFAW