Defend dolphins, not a ‘tradition’
2014.02.03
Defend dolphins, not a ‘tradition’
From The Japan Times
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/02/01/editorials/defend-dolphins-not-a-tradition/#.UvHMPvWCiM9
In mid-January, somewhere between 250 and 500 dolphins were driven into the cove near Taiji, a small town in western Japan made famous in the award-winning film, “The Cove.” There, at least 100 of the dolphins were slaughtered for their meat. Others were packed up and sold to aquariums.
The dolphins are herded, butchered and sold every year, but this year, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, together with CNN news uploaded videos of the dolphin hunt. The video, available online, is not for the faint of heart. Despite claims of humane killing methods, the video shows the fishermen hacking into the heads and backs of the panicked dolphins, then leaving them to bleed to death, turning the entire cove bright red.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe defended the practice in an interview with CNN and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters at a news conference that marine mammals including dolphins were “very important water resources.” Suga insisted “Dolphin fishing is one of the traditional fishing forms of our country and is carried out appropriately in accordance with the law.”
Their argument that the force of tradition justifies the herding, capturing and slaughtering of dolphins is a flimsy one. Many past cultural practices, such as slavery, bordellos and beheading were stopped for ethical reasons. Tradition and culture are forces that change in accordance with new scientific understanding and evolving ethical standards. In addition, the Taiji hunt didn’t even become institutionalized on a large scale until 1969, so its roots are quite shallow.
Their argument that the slaughter adheres to principles of the law is equally questionable. Veterinarians and behavioral scientists who viewed the covertly recorded video contend that the killing method used in this year’s Taiji dolphin hunt would not be permitted in any slaughterhouse in the developed world.
Indeed, it is open to question whether the method would be acceptable if used to slaughter cows or other livestock in Japan.
Japanese law states that all methods of killing livestock should reduce the animals’ suffering as much as possible. The method of sending “fishermen” into the water with knives to stab the dolphins, clearly evident in the video, does not begin to meet that guideline. The desperate flailing of the wounded animals and the long time it takes them to die go against the accepted animal welfare standards employed in advanced societies.
Japan has already stopped invasive research and other harmful practices on species such as chimpanzees. Intelligent animal species have always held a special closeness to humans because of their intelligence, capacity for suffering and complex social relations. Dolphins are even known to commit suicide when distressed or confused.
Japan has another tradition, one of deep respect for nature and the creatures in it. That tradition would be much easier to defend. The dolphin hunt is an inhumane practice that should be stopped.
Defend dolphins, not a ‘tradition’
From The Japan Times
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/02/01/editorials/defend-dolphins-not-a-tradition/#.UvHMPvWCiM9
In mid-January, somewhere between 250 and 500 dolphins were driven into the cove near Taiji, a small town in western Japan made famous in the award-winning film, “The Cove.” There, at least 100 of the dolphins were slaughtered for their meat. Others were packed up and sold to aquariums.
The dolphins are herded, butchered and sold every year, but this year, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, together with CNN news uploaded videos of the dolphin hunt. The video, available online, is not for the faint of heart. Despite claims of humane killing methods, the video shows the fishermen hacking into the heads and backs of the panicked dolphins, then leaving them to bleed to death, turning the entire cove bright red.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe defended the practice in an interview with CNN and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters at a news conference that marine mammals including dolphins were “very important water resources.” Suga insisted “Dolphin fishing is one of the traditional fishing forms of our country and is carried out appropriately in accordance with the law.”
Their argument that the force of tradition justifies the herding, capturing and slaughtering of dolphins is a flimsy one. Many past cultural practices, such as slavery, bordellos and beheading were stopped for ethical reasons. Tradition and culture are forces that change in accordance with new scientific understanding and evolving ethical standards. In addition, the Taiji hunt didn’t even become institutionalized on a large scale until 1969, so its roots are quite shallow.
Their argument that the slaughter adheres to principles of the law is equally questionable. Veterinarians and behavioral scientists who viewed the covertly recorded video contend that the killing method used in this year’s Taiji dolphin hunt would not be permitted in any slaughterhouse in the developed world.
Indeed, it is open to question whether the method would be acceptable if used to slaughter cows or other livestock in Japan.
Japanese law states that all methods of killing livestock should reduce the animals’ suffering as much as possible. The method of sending “fishermen” into the water with knives to stab the dolphins, clearly evident in the video, does not begin to meet that guideline. The desperate flailing of the wounded animals and the long time it takes them to die go against the accepted animal welfare standards employed in advanced societies.
Japan has already stopped invasive research and other harmful practices on species such as chimpanzees. Intelligent animal species have always held a special closeness to humans because of their intelligence, capacity for suffering and complex social relations. Dolphins are even known to commit suicide when distressed or confused.
Japan has another tradition, one of deep respect for nature and the creatures in it. That tradition would be much easier to defend. The dolphin hunt is an inhumane practice that should be stopped.
スポンサーサイト
Sent the demanding letter about dolphin hunting to the embassies of various nations, Vatican city, A Pope, Japanese government, Wakayama prefecture, Taiji fishery cooperative.
Animal Network Japan sent the demanding letter about dolphin hunting with TNR Japan Animal Welfare Hospital and Hokkaido Nature Conservancy to the embassies of various nations, Vatican city, A Pope, Japanese government, Wakayama prefecture, Taiji fishery cooperative.
http://animalnetwork.jimdo.com/
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
All Japan Animal Network
(Association of Animal Protection Groups throughout Japan)
TNR Japan Animal Welfare Hospital
Hokkaido Nature Conservancy
6 February 2014
Dear Messrs.
Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister
Nobuteru Ishihara, Minister of Environment
Ikko Sangen, Taiji Town Governor
Yoshimasa Hayashi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Kazuyoshi Motokawa, Fishery Agency Administrator
Yoshinobu Nisaka, Wakayama Prefecture Governor
Union President for Fishermen’s Union of Taiji
Agenda for "Demanding a Stop to Dolphin Drive Hunting”
Reasons for our Demand
1. Dolphin hunting itself, and the method of catching and killing dolphins, are cruel acts.
In recent years, two patterns of dolphin hunting have been practiced in our country.
These are poke pole fishing and drive hunting.
Drive hunting involves driving a school of dolphins into a narrow bay, preventing the
dolphins escaping by enclosing them with fish nets. The dolphins are then captured alive.
In addition to scaring the whole school of dolphins, some dolphins are killed randomly, in a
state of panic from fear. The dolphins suffer a slow, agonizing death. In poke pole fishing,
dolphins are stabbed with harpoons from boats. Some that are not killed die from shock,
while some develop psychological distress. This clearly reveals that drive hunting is
extremely inhumane.
There is absolutely no transparency and openness in dolphin hunting. When dolphins are killed, tarpaulins are used to conceal the reality. Despite this concealment, however, there are still many cases of cruelty reported.
The following facts pertain to dolphin hunting.
1) When driving dolphins, fishermen usually bang on metal rods in the water, causing dolphins’ sonar systems to be disrupted, driving them into a panic.
2) To capture dolphins alive, fishermen pursue them relentlessly. It is reported that panicked dolphins bash against each other in their own blood, become entangled in fishing boat nets and suffocate to death. They die of panic and the shock of being captured, drowning in the sea.
3) Most of the wounded and emaciated dolphins are killed due to not being “suitable” for sale. When killing dolphins, it is reported that fishermen plunge metal pins into their blowholes, leaving them to bleed and suffocate to death.
4) Dolphins regarded as unwanted are driven back to sea. However, these dolphins are allegedly unable to survive and it is impossible for them to propagate again since they are too wounded and traumatized to do so.
5) In order to sell dolphins to aquariums, dolphins are captured live. A large number of dolphins become victims to the entertainment industry – in other words, to aquariums. Dolphins transferred to aquariums may die of stress.
Under Japanese ordinances, there are no regulations pertaining to, or punishment for, the cruel methods involved in capturing and killing animals. Furthermore, there are no independent organizations to monitor and verify what actually happens. Despite dolphins being wild mammals (small Cetartiodactyla of Odontoceti), dolphins are precluded from regulations for wildlife protection and from hunting laws (Paragraph 1, Article 80 of the law, Paragraph 2, Article 78 of the Ordinance for the Enforcement of the Act ). Dolphins are subject to the Fishery Act. Dolphins are also not subject to the Animal Law that pertains mostly to family pets.
Furthermore, dolphins are not subject to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) regulations. Regarding the catching and killing of dolphins, including large Odontoceti and Baleen Whales, there are no regulations. We must therefore conclude that dolphin hunting is exempt from regulations and legislation in our country.
In other countries, the basic concepts of animal welfare in terms of farming, transportation and the slaughtering of animals and livestock used as food are universal.
From a global perspective, there is a long list of problems regarding the current Japanese situation, which lacks regulations and laws on animal welfare. According to the rules and regulations of the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) that Japan accedes to, the treatment of animals in a humane way, and the painless killing and slaughtering of animals, are required. Animals should be free from pain, fear and fatigue, while instant death, or death in a state of total unconsciousness, should be adhered to. Animals should be rendered unconscious immediately, with minimal suffering. Furthermore, it is stated that animals should not be subject to apprehension, physical pain, fatigue and mental distress. Although these rules and regulations do not apply to wild dolphins, dolphins killed as food should naturally be considered under these rules and regulations. From this point of view, we must say that dolphin drive hunting is an unquestionably cruel act for the reason that the appropriate catching and killing methods, in accordance with animal welfare philosophy, have not been adopted.
According to Mr. Iwasaki and Mr. Kai (in 2010) on “Improvement in the Methods of Catching and Killing Dolphins in Taiji, Wakayama”, which supports the claim made by the central government and the local authority of Wakayama Prefecture that drive hunting has been improved every year, it is stressed that inserting a metal pin in the dolphin’s blowhole many times to prevent bleeding means immediate numbing, instant death and freedom from pain. We doubt this theory. That is because of the following results of analysis released in the paper titled “The Veterinary and Ethological Analysis of the Current Methods of Catching and Killing Dolphins in Taiji, Japan”, researched by the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, the University of Bristol, City University of New York and other foreign research institutes. The results of analysis are “1) Damaging the vertebrae artery and vesicular plexus causes significant bleeding but does not result in instant death for dolphins. 2) Due to plugging a metal pin into the blowhole to prevent bleeding, death does not come immediately. 3) Mutilation of the spine requires skill and technique. However, it is questionable if skill and technique is employed, as noted from video evidence.4) The dolphin feels pain until death. 5) It remains questionable when the dolphin actually dies and no longer feels pain.
The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) states that dolphin hunting is in breach of modern ideas on animal welfare standards from scientific, humane and ethical perspectives.
The limited number of videos available on dolphin hunting adequately inform us of the brutality of this practice, greatly shocking those who view them.
2. Generally speaking, dolphins are animals with sophisticated intelligence, communicative abilities and emotions.
Compared to other mammals, dolphins have higher capabilities of intelligence and communication, and also have emotions showing their pleasure, anger, sorrow and joy. Hence, dolphins are affectionate higher animals. It is quite clearly an inhumane activity to cause terror and so viciously harm dolphins in the ways described earlier.
Dolphins form their families and social groups as schools of dolphins in a sense of solidarity. According to the previously-cited paper by the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol and City University of New York, it is stated that 1) The process involved in killing dolphins takes several hours or days. 2) The killing of dolphins is performed in the close vicinity of family or group members. 3) Dolphin cries echo throughout the entire time during the killing of dolphins. 4) Dolphins are highly sociable mammals.
Therefore, dolphin hunting inevitably causes the breakdown of dolphin families and damages schools of dolphins considerably. The remaining family and group members that survive are traumatized by the mental distress of the sadness experienced due to losing their members. Dolphin hunting not only kills dolphins but it also has a huge impact in the form of mental trauma on the remaining dolphin family and group members.
3. Dolphins are a rare species of wild animals and should be subject to the protection of the wildlife. (CITES AppendixⅡ)
In addition to dolphins being rare wild animals and deserving of protection, they are our fellow inhabitants on earth, and our friends, sharing the living environment on the planet.
The central government and the local Wakayama Prefecture claim that the dolphin species is abundant as a resource and the numbers captured for harvest is within the range of the annual stipulated quantities on the basis of scientific research conducted by the central government (FRA: The Fishery Research Agency). However, their scientific research is merely a visual inspection and is unworthy to be considered scientific research. Furthermore, the directors of the agency are almost all retired bureaucrats or officials, and almost all of the agency board members are too. Therefore we assume that the results of the research are unreliable because their research cannot affect national policies due to the makeup of the agency (being retired bureaucrats and officials they want to maintain the status quo). Furthermore, there are no independent organizations or institutions to observe and verify their research and their business. The bottom line is that the current dolphin harvest in our country is under sloppy management and can hardly be said to be an activity that complies with the concerns of wild animal protection.
The relationship with wild animals changes naturally with the development of civilization. Wolves and larger felidaes used to be subject to extermination and hunting. However, they are now subject to protection as rare wild animals, as are their habitats and ecosystems. It is concluded that the preservation of the ecosystem as such has a positive and valuable effect on human beings. Likewise, we recognize that the preservation of dolphins in the wild, and the ocean as their living environment, is a great legacy for human beings.
The central government, the local authorities and relevant organizations should recognize this.
4. Dolphin hunting has nothing to do with Japanese traditional activities.
Often the argument is raised that dolphin hunting is a traditional culture in our country. However, the history of dolphin drive hunting in Taiji, Wakayama, started in the 1960s (according to the town history of Taiji, it started in 1933). However, the main purpose of dolphin drive hunting is the selling of dolphins to aquariums. This kind of hunting is not historically a part of traditional life or culture.
Meanwhile, other countries perceive dolphin drive hunting in Japan as being for the purpose of selling dolphins to aquariums, thereby catching them for commercial use and not as part of traditional cuisine culture.
5. Dolphin meat is an unnecessary food resource for humans
There is an argument that dolphins are an important food resource. However, many Japanese do not consider them food. Hypothetically, dolphins may have been one food resource since ancient times but that is no justification for dolphin hunting now. Elephants and humans too used to be the main food resource in some societies, but currently there is no region on earth that uses these as food resources.In Kyoto, people used to fish “Itasenbara” (a species of Acheilognathus Melanogaster, a freshwater fish) and use them in sushi. These Itasenbara (Acheilognathus Longipinnis) are a natural treasure and protected species. Hence, likewise, dolphins are no longer necessary food resources.
6. Dolphin drive hunting is strictly banned in the many countries throughout the world.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), in their code of ethics, states that they forbid dolphin drive hunting and they warn that dolphins caught by drive hunting should not be imported from Japan.
In addition, many other countries have introduced laws and regulations banning the catching of dolphins, the import and export of dolphins, the exhibition of dolphins in aquariums, rearing cetaceans, including dolphins aquariums, and the transportation of dolphins.
7. Summary
As stated above, dolphin hunting is an inhumane activity and there are no positive reasons for continuing it.
Hence, dolphin drive hunting should be completely suspended immediately. And, the central government should revise the laws and ordinances regarding animal protection
and should streamline the regulatory laws with penalties regarding animal welfare which regulate dealing in wild animals generally and forbid the cruel slaughter of animals.
Special thanks to our translators,
Naccyan(NPO capin),
Katrina Larsen (ARK Tokyo)
http://animalnetwork.jimdo.com/
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
All Japan Animal Network
(Association of Animal Protection Groups throughout Japan)
TNR Japan Animal Welfare Hospital
Hokkaido Nature Conservancy
6 February 2014
Dear Messrs.
Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister
Nobuteru Ishihara, Minister of Environment
Ikko Sangen, Taiji Town Governor
Yoshimasa Hayashi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Kazuyoshi Motokawa, Fishery Agency Administrator
Yoshinobu Nisaka, Wakayama Prefecture Governor
Union President for Fishermen’s Union of Taiji
Agenda for "Demanding a Stop to Dolphin Drive Hunting”
Reasons for our Demand
1. Dolphin hunting itself, and the method of catching and killing dolphins, are cruel acts.
In recent years, two patterns of dolphin hunting have been practiced in our country.
These are poke pole fishing and drive hunting.
Drive hunting involves driving a school of dolphins into a narrow bay, preventing the
dolphins escaping by enclosing them with fish nets. The dolphins are then captured alive.
In addition to scaring the whole school of dolphins, some dolphins are killed randomly, in a
state of panic from fear. The dolphins suffer a slow, agonizing death. In poke pole fishing,
dolphins are stabbed with harpoons from boats. Some that are not killed die from shock,
while some develop psychological distress. This clearly reveals that drive hunting is
extremely inhumane.
There is absolutely no transparency and openness in dolphin hunting. When dolphins are killed, tarpaulins are used to conceal the reality. Despite this concealment, however, there are still many cases of cruelty reported.
The following facts pertain to dolphin hunting.
1) When driving dolphins, fishermen usually bang on metal rods in the water, causing dolphins’ sonar systems to be disrupted, driving them into a panic.
2) To capture dolphins alive, fishermen pursue them relentlessly. It is reported that panicked dolphins bash against each other in their own blood, become entangled in fishing boat nets and suffocate to death. They die of panic and the shock of being captured, drowning in the sea.
3) Most of the wounded and emaciated dolphins are killed due to not being “suitable” for sale. When killing dolphins, it is reported that fishermen plunge metal pins into their blowholes, leaving them to bleed and suffocate to death.
4) Dolphins regarded as unwanted are driven back to sea. However, these dolphins are allegedly unable to survive and it is impossible for them to propagate again since they are too wounded and traumatized to do so.
5) In order to sell dolphins to aquariums, dolphins are captured live. A large number of dolphins become victims to the entertainment industry – in other words, to aquariums. Dolphins transferred to aquariums may die of stress.
Under Japanese ordinances, there are no regulations pertaining to, or punishment for, the cruel methods involved in capturing and killing animals. Furthermore, there are no independent organizations to monitor and verify what actually happens. Despite dolphins being wild mammals (small Cetartiodactyla of Odontoceti), dolphins are precluded from regulations for wildlife protection and from hunting laws (Paragraph 1, Article 80 of the law, Paragraph 2, Article 78 of the Ordinance for the Enforcement of the Act ). Dolphins are subject to the Fishery Act. Dolphins are also not subject to the Animal Law that pertains mostly to family pets.
Furthermore, dolphins are not subject to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) regulations. Regarding the catching and killing of dolphins, including large Odontoceti and Baleen Whales, there are no regulations. We must therefore conclude that dolphin hunting is exempt from regulations and legislation in our country.
In other countries, the basic concepts of animal welfare in terms of farming, transportation and the slaughtering of animals and livestock used as food are universal.
From a global perspective, there is a long list of problems regarding the current Japanese situation, which lacks regulations and laws on animal welfare. According to the rules and regulations of the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) that Japan accedes to, the treatment of animals in a humane way, and the painless killing and slaughtering of animals, are required. Animals should be free from pain, fear and fatigue, while instant death, or death in a state of total unconsciousness, should be adhered to. Animals should be rendered unconscious immediately, with minimal suffering. Furthermore, it is stated that animals should not be subject to apprehension, physical pain, fatigue and mental distress. Although these rules and regulations do not apply to wild dolphins, dolphins killed as food should naturally be considered under these rules and regulations. From this point of view, we must say that dolphin drive hunting is an unquestionably cruel act for the reason that the appropriate catching and killing methods, in accordance with animal welfare philosophy, have not been adopted.
According to Mr. Iwasaki and Mr. Kai (in 2010) on “Improvement in the Methods of Catching and Killing Dolphins in Taiji, Wakayama”, which supports the claim made by the central government and the local authority of Wakayama Prefecture that drive hunting has been improved every year, it is stressed that inserting a metal pin in the dolphin’s blowhole many times to prevent bleeding means immediate numbing, instant death and freedom from pain. We doubt this theory. That is because of the following results of analysis released in the paper titled “The Veterinary and Ethological Analysis of the Current Methods of Catching and Killing Dolphins in Taiji, Japan”, researched by the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, the University of Bristol, City University of New York and other foreign research institutes. The results of analysis are “1) Damaging the vertebrae artery and vesicular plexus causes significant bleeding but does not result in instant death for dolphins. 2) Due to plugging a metal pin into the blowhole to prevent bleeding, death does not come immediately. 3) Mutilation of the spine requires skill and technique. However, it is questionable if skill and technique is employed, as noted from video evidence.4) The dolphin feels pain until death. 5) It remains questionable when the dolphin actually dies and no longer feels pain.
The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) states that dolphin hunting is in breach of modern ideas on animal welfare standards from scientific, humane and ethical perspectives.
The limited number of videos available on dolphin hunting adequately inform us of the brutality of this practice, greatly shocking those who view them.
2. Generally speaking, dolphins are animals with sophisticated intelligence, communicative abilities and emotions.
Compared to other mammals, dolphins have higher capabilities of intelligence and communication, and also have emotions showing their pleasure, anger, sorrow and joy. Hence, dolphins are affectionate higher animals. It is quite clearly an inhumane activity to cause terror and so viciously harm dolphins in the ways described earlier.
Dolphins form their families and social groups as schools of dolphins in a sense of solidarity. According to the previously-cited paper by the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol and City University of New York, it is stated that 1) The process involved in killing dolphins takes several hours or days. 2) The killing of dolphins is performed in the close vicinity of family or group members. 3) Dolphin cries echo throughout the entire time during the killing of dolphins. 4) Dolphins are highly sociable mammals.
Therefore, dolphin hunting inevitably causes the breakdown of dolphin families and damages schools of dolphins considerably. The remaining family and group members that survive are traumatized by the mental distress of the sadness experienced due to losing their members. Dolphin hunting not only kills dolphins but it also has a huge impact in the form of mental trauma on the remaining dolphin family and group members.
3. Dolphins are a rare species of wild animals and should be subject to the protection of the wildlife. (CITES AppendixⅡ)
In addition to dolphins being rare wild animals and deserving of protection, they are our fellow inhabitants on earth, and our friends, sharing the living environment on the planet.
The central government and the local Wakayama Prefecture claim that the dolphin species is abundant as a resource and the numbers captured for harvest is within the range of the annual stipulated quantities on the basis of scientific research conducted by the central government (FRA: The Fishery Research Agency). However, their scientific research is merely a visual inspection and is unworthy to be considered scientific research. Furthermore, the directors of the agency are almost all retired bureaucrats or officials, and almost all of the agency board members are too. Therefore we assume that the results of the research are unreliable because their research cannot affect national policies due to the makeup of the agency (being retired bureaucrats and officials they want to maintain the status quo). Furthermore, there are no independent organizations or institutions to observe and verify their research and their business. The bottom line is that the current dolphin harvest in our country is under sloppy management and can hardly be said to be an activity that complies with the concerns of wild animal protection.
The relationship with wild animals changes naturally with the development of civilization. Wolves and larger felidaes used to be subject to extermination and hunting. However, they are now subject to protection as rare wild animals, as are their habitats and ecosystems. It is concluded that the preservation of the ecosystem as such has a positive and valuable effect on human beings. Likewise, we recognize that the preservation of dolphins in the wild, and the ocean as their living environment, is a great legacy for human beings.
The central government, the local authorities and relevant organizations should recognize this.
4. Dolphin hunting has nothing to do with Japanese traditional activities.
Often the argument is raised that dolphin hunting is a traditional culture in our country. However, the history of dolphin drive hunting in Taiji, Wakayama, started in the 1960s (according to the town history of Taiji, it started in 1933). However, the main purpose of dolphin drive hunting is the selling of dolphins to aquariums. This kind of hunting is not historically a part of traditional life or culture.
Meanwhile, other countries perceive dolphin drive hunting in Japan as being for the purpose of selling dolphins to aquariums, thereby catching them for commercial use and not as part of traditional cuisine culture.
5. Dolphin meat is an unnecessary food resource for humans
There is an argument that dolphins are an important food resource. However, many Japanese do not consider them food. Hypothetically, dolphins may have been one food resource since ancient times but that is no justification for dolphin hunting now. Elephants and humans too used to be the main food resource in some societies, but currently there is no region on earth that uses these as food resources.In Kyoto, people used to fish “Itasenbara” (a species of Acheilognathus Melanogaster, a freshwater fish) and use them in sushi. These Itasenbara (Acheilognathus Longipinnis) are a natural treasure and protected species. Hence, likewise, dolphins are no longer necessary food resources.
6. Dolphin drive hunting is strictly banned in the many countries throughout the world.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), in their code of ethics, states that they forbid dolphin drive hunting and they warn that dolphins caught by drive hunting should not be imported from Japan.
In addition, many other countries have introduced laws and regulations banning the catching of dolphins, the import and export of dolphins, the exhibition of dolphins in aquariums, rearing cetaceans, including dolphins aquariums, and the transportation of dolphins.
7. Summary
As stated above, dolphin hunting is an inhumane activity and there are no positive reasons for continuing it.
Hence, dolphin drive hunting should be completely suspended immediately. And, the central government should revise the laws and ordinances regarding animal protection
and should streamline the regulatory laws with penalties regarding animal welfare which regulate dealing in wild animals generally and forbid the cruel slaughter of animals.
Special thanks to our translators,
Naccyan(NPO capin),
Katrina Larsen (ARK Tokyo)
We carry on with protection activity in Fukushima 2014.
January 18, 2014
We carry on with protection activity in Fukushima 2014.
This is the perfect combination of Nyandara 1 (right) and Nyandara 2 (left) from Koenji Nyandarazu.
They are chatting happily, but it's not like they're doing standup comedy.
In fact, they're talking about something serious.
In 2 days, they rescued 2 dogs and 3 cats.
They must be tired, but they always smiling. Very reliable people.
This photo is at TNR Japan Animal Welfare hospital, around 22:30pm.
3 cats have just arrived. Even so late at night, the volunteers are still taking care of cats in the hospital.
http://ameblo.jp/inaoigou/entry-11750703871.html
Now I have started to do TNR in Kawasaki.
I am planning it for 20-30 cats before I go back to Fukushima next time.
We carry on with protection activity in Fukushima 2014.
This is the perfect combination of Nyandara 1 (right) and Nyandara 2 (left) from Koenji Nyandarazu.
They are chatting happily, but it's not like they're doing standup comedy.
In fact, they're talking about something serious.
In 2 days, they rescued 2 dogs and 3 cats.
They must be tired, but they always smiling. Very reliable people.
This photo is at TNR Japan Animal Welfare hospital, around 22:30pm.
3 cats have just arrived. Even so late at night, the volunteers are still taking care of cats in the hospital.
http://ameblo.jp/inaoigou/entry-11750703871.html
Now I have started to do TNR in Kawasaki.
I am planning it for 20-30 cats before I go back to Fukushima next time.
Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies has received donations of about 700,000,000 yen. 200,000,000 yen hasn't been used yet.
January 16, 2014
Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies has received donations of about 700,000,000 yen. 200,000,000 yen hasn't been used yet.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, we at Inuneko Kyusainowa cooperated with individual volunteers for the rescue and TNR of dogs and cats that were abandoned around Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant, and impossible-to-return areas.
Still now, afflicted animals that were separated from their families remain there.
If we can't do the sterilization for them, they breed one after another, and lives will be born into misery, as noted in the following article by the Asahi Newspaper.
But many places are difficult to go into. This should primarily be done by the government as a public undertaking, shouldn’t it?
Inuneko Kyusainowa is going to demand of the Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies that they use this 200,000,000 yen for rescue and TNR activity for dogs and cats around the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Last year, they reported that they invested the donation and took a loss.
I will send the letter of demands as soon as possible.
If you agree, please send your own letter to them too.
I will report to you about it again later.
From Asahi Newspaper
http://www.asahi.com/area/kanagawa/articles/MTW20140114150150002.html
Feral cats are increasing. Relief is inadequate.
It’s been almost 3 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Still now, there are many dogs and cats that lost their families, wandering from place to place.
Many of them were born after the disaster.
The humane society has been doing sterilization to avoid the expansion of this tragedy.
But as they can’t use public donations, it is financially difficult.
Veterinarian Fumie Endo, (50), from Shizuoka, arrived at Spay Fukushima clinic in Shirakawa city in Fukushima on Saturday evening.
She gave anesthetic to 3 cats, and performed the sterilizations.
It takes a few minutes for one male kitten.
But if it is pregnant female, it takes over 20 minutes.
She continued the operation for 2 and a half hours, and then finally she had a drink.
“I can’t be with them all the time. So I want to do what I can thoroughly” she said.
She has visited Spay Fukushima clinic every weekend.
After the sterilization of 40~50 dogs and cats, she goes back to Shizuoka on Sunday evening.
The Animal Rescue System fund in Kobe opened this clinic 2 years ago.
Representative Hiro Yamazaki, (45), after interviewing refugees, realized that abandoned dogs and cats were propagating in the mountains and rivers, so she decided to open this clinic in Fukushima.
This clinic mainly does sterilization for stray cats, and pets belonging to victims.
Normally it costs several tens of thousands of yen, but depending on the situation, they take a lesser fee, or even work free of charge.
By the end of the 2013, they had done sterilization for 1448 dogs and cats.
The regular staff of this clinic is 2 people, from the fund, and volunteers like Mrs.Endo, who come to help free of charge.
Mrs.Chie Hinata, (40), from Yokohama, helps with the preparation of anesthesia, and the transferring of dogs and cats.
“We want to reduce loss of life due to the human-created crisis.”
Contact: Animal Rescue System fund / 0248 21 9391
Most of the dogs and cats are from area within 20-40km of the Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant.
Mrs.Sachiko Yamaguchi, (36), visits Odaka, Minamisoma, Fukushima. Staying all night is forbidden.
She goes a few times each month, to offer feeding and protection.
She sets the capture cages early Saturday morning, brings the animals to Spay Fukushima clinic for sterilization, and the takes them back.
There are houses there, but no people. A young wild boar runs down the middle of the road.
The radiation dosimetry measures up to 1.57μSv.
That is 2.7 times the standard level in Yokohama city. (0.59)
A white kitten was walking in the middle of the road, but jumped away when surprised by a car.
Mrs.Yamaguchi said “That is a female which was operated on recently”.
She captured 7 cats in that week, and among them are a pregnant cat and a nursing cat.
“I want more people pay attention to this situation” she said.
The Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies, which consists of 4 organizations, like Japan Veterinary Medical Association, has received a donation of about 700,000,000 yen since the crisis began. About 200,000,000 yen is still unused, but they won’t use this to do the sterilization of feral dogs and cats.
General manager Katsuhiko Shoji said that the donation was gathered for afflicted pets and owners.
It is not the intention of donors to use it for the protection of feral dogs and cats.
Fukushima Animal Rescue, operated by Fukushima prefecture, and Fukushima Veterinary Medical Association, have consulted on possible ways of restricting the breeding of dogs and cats, but they have no plans for activity around the nuclear power plant.
Mrs.Yamazaki said “I don’t think the donors would oppose the use of donations for the tragedy of the abandoned breeding more abandonment."
■ Animal rescue volunteers pushing the limits.
I visit the off-limits area 3 months after the disaster.
I saw so many dogs and cats, very thin, and with fierce eyes.
This is the third winter. Surviving and newly bred animals are causing new problems.
Pets abandoned after the disaster have been rescued.
But the next generation is regarded as wild animals.
After the reorganization of the evacuation area, this blank zone exists, left out of rescue parties both official and private。
We, Inuneko Kyusainowa, and Mieko Yoshida, who has been rescuing cats in Minami Soma, and other volunteers, continue rescue activity in Fukushima since the disaster and nuclear power plant accident.
However, we couldn’t get any support from the Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies.
Small associations and individual volunteers don’t have enough people.
During the confusion of the disaster, we jumped into the afflicted area.
We had to work so hard, for so many afflicted animals, despite it being impossible to make complicated applications for subsidies, especially due to difficult conditions set by the administration.
To search out such circumstances, and give support, is what the administration and Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies should do.
To maintain the rescued animals, and provide the cost of sterilization, as well as transportation fees for lengthy activity, is a heavy responsibility for volunteers.
It's difficult to continue with necessary activity.
Mrs.Yamazaki said “I don’t think the donors would oppose the use of donations for the tragedy of the abandoned breeding more abandonment." I totally agree with her.
This is the blog to support Mieko Yoshida (Neko obasan).
Sterilization in an empty town is important, but securing enough funds is so difficult.
Please support her.
http://ameblo.jp/cat-yoshida/
Yucho ginko 18220
Account number 16389911
Mieko Yoshida
Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies has received donations of about 700,000,000 yen. 200,000,000 yen hasn't been used yet.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, we at Inuneko Kyusainowa cooperated with individual volunteers for the rescue and TNR of dogs and cats that were abandoned around Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant, and impossible-to-return areas.
Still now, afflicted animals that were separated from their families remain there.
If we can't do the sterilization for them, they breed one after another, and lives will be born into misery, as noted in the following article by the Asahi Newspaper.
But many places are difficult to go into. This should primarily be done by the government as a public undertaking, shouldn’t it?
Inuneko Kyusainowa is going to demand of the Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies that they use this 200,000,000 yen for rescue and TNR activity for dogs and cats around the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Last year, they reported that they invested the donation and took a loss.
I will send the letter of demands as soon as possible.
If you agree, please send your own letter to them too.
I will report to you about it again later.
From Asahi Newspaper
http://www.asahi.com/area/kanagawa/articles/MTW20140114150150002.html
Feral cats are increasing. Relief is inadequate.
It’s been almost 3 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Still now, there are many dogs and cats that lost their families, wandering from place to place.
Many of them were born after the disaster.
The humane society has been doing sterilization to avoid the expansion of this tragedy.
But as they can’t use public donations, it is financially difficult.
Veterinarian Fumie Endo, (50), from Shizuoka, arrived at Spay Fukushima clinic in Shirakawa city in Fukushima on Saturday evening.
She gave anesthetic to 3 cats, and performed the sterilizations.
It takes a few minutes for one male kitten.
But if it is pregnant female, it takes over 20 minutes.
She continued the operation for 2 and a half hours, and then finally she had a drink.
“I can’t be with them all the time. So I want to do what I can thoroughly” she said.
She has visited Spay Fukushima clinic every weekend.
After the sterilization of 40~50 dogs and cats, she goes back to Shizuoka on Sunday evening.
The Animal Rescue System fund in Kobe opened this clinic 2 years ago.
Representative Hiro Yamazaki, (45), after interviewing refugees, realized that abandoned dogs and cats were propagating in the mountains and rivers, so she decided to open this clinic in Fukushima.
This clinic mainly does sterilization for stray cats, and pets belonging to victims.
Normally it costs several tens of thousands of yen, but depending on the situation, they take a lesser fee, or even work free of charge.
By the end of the 2013, they had done sterilization for 1448 dogs and cats.
The regular staff of this clinic is 2 people, from the fund, and volunteers like Mrs.Endo, who come to help free of charge.
Mrs.Chie Hinata, (40), from Yokohama, helps with the preparation of anesthesia, and the transferring of dogs and cats.
“We want to reduce loss of life due to the human-created crisis.”
Contact: Animal Rescue System fund / 0248 21 9391
Most of the dogs and cats are from area within 20-40km of the Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant.
Mrs.Sachiko Yamaguchi, (36), visits Odaka, Minamisoma, Fukushima. Staying all night is forbidden.
She goes a few times each month, to offer feeding and protection.
She sets the capture cages early Saturday morning, brings the animals to Spay Fukushima clinic for sterilization, and the takes them back.
There are houses there, but no people. A young wild boar runs down the middle of the road.
The radiation dosimetry measures up to 1.57μSv.
That is 2.7 times the standard level in Yokohama city. (0.59)
A white kitten was walking in the middle of the road, but jumped away when surprised by a car.
Mrs.Yamaguchi said “That is a female which was operated on recently”.
She captured 7 cats in that week, and among them are a pregnant cat and a nursing cat.
“I want more people pay attention to this situation” she said.
The Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies, which consists of 4 organizations, like Japan Veterinary Medical Association, has received a donation of about 700,000,000 yen since the crisis began. About 200,000,000 yen is still unused, but they won’t use this to do the sterilization of feral dogs and cats.
General manager Katsuhiko Shoji said that the donation was gathered for afflicted pets and owners.
It is not the intention of donors to use it for the protection of feral dogs and cats.
Fukushima Animal Rescue, operated by Fukushima prefecture, and Fukushima Veterinary Medical Association, have consulted on possible ways of restricting the breeding of dogs and cats, but they have no plans for activity around the nuclear power plant.
Mrs.Yamazaki said “I don’t think the donors would oppose the use of donations for the tragedy of the abandoned breeding more abandonment."
■ Animal rescue volunteers pushing the limits.
I visit the off-limits area 3 months after the disaster.
I saw so many dogs and cats, very thin, and with fierce eyes.
This is the third winter. Surviving and newly bred animals are causing new problems.
Pets abandoned after the disaster have been rescued.
But the next generation is regarded as wild animals.
After the reorganization of the evacuation area, this blank zone exists, left out of rescue parties both official and private。
We, Inuneko Kyusainowa, and Mieko Yoshida, who has been rescuing cats in Minami Soma, and other volunteers, continue rescue activity in Fukushima since the disaster and nuclear power plant accident.
However, we couldn’t get any support from the Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies.
Small associations and individual volunteers don’t have enough people.
During the confusion of the disaster, we jumped into the afflicted area.
We had to work so hard, for so many afflicted animals, despite it being impossible to make complicated applications for subsidies, especially due to difficult conditions set by the administration.
To search out such circumstances, and give support, is what the administration and Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies should do.
To maintain the rescued animals, and provide the cost of sterilization, as well as transportation fees for lengthy activity, is a heavy responsibility for volunteers.
It's difficult to continue with necessary activity.
Mrs.Yamazaki said “I don’t think the donors would oppose the use of donations for the tragedy of the abandoned breeding more abandonment." I totally agree with her.
This is the blog to support Mieko Yoshida (Neko obasan).
Sterilization in an empty town is important, but securing enough funds is so difficult.
Please support her.
http://ameblo.jp/cat-yoshida/
Yucho ginko 18220
Account number 16389911
Mieko Yoshida
Hollywood Celebs to Obama: Please Save the 'Cove' Dolphins
February 14, 2014
Hollywood Celebs to Obama: Please Save the 'Cove' Dolphins
American activists and celebrities including Sean Penn and Gwyneth Paltrow, are urging US President Barack Obama not to sign an international trade agreement with Japan until the country bans the slaughter of dolphins.
The Independent / February 14, 2014
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/taiji-dolphins-gwyneth-paltrow-sean-penn-and-jennifer-hudson-send-letter-condemning-hunt-to-president-obama-9112774.html
Take Part / February 6, 2014
http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/02/06/celebrities-send-letter-kennedy-taiji
Global Animal / February 6, 2014
http://www.globalanimal.org/2014/02/06/celebs-call-on-obama-to-end-japans-dolphin-slaughter/116249/
Hollywood Celebs to Obama: Please Save the 'Cove' Dolphins
American activists and celebrities including Sean Penn and Gwyneth Paltrow, are urging US President Barack Obama not to sign an international trade agreement with Japan until the country bans the slaughter of dolphins.
The Independent / February 14, 2014
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/taiji-dolphins-gwyneth-paltrow-sean-penn-and-jennifer-hudson-send-letter-condemning-hunt-to-president-obama-9112774.html
Take Part / February 6, 2014
http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/02/06/celebrities-send-letter-kennedy-taiji
Global Animal / February 6, 2014
http://www.globalanimal.org/2014/02/06/celebs-call-on-obama-to-end-japans-dolphin-slaughter/116249/
To everyone from Inuneko Kyusainowa.
January 24, 2014
To everyone from Inuneko Kyusainowa.
Thank you so much for your cooperation regarding the cruel dolphin hunting.
Today I want to explain why we object to dolphin hunting.
It is a pity that some people ask “Why it is wrong to kill dolphin.
Is it acceptable to kill cattle and pigs?” or “Do not interfere to the culture of another country” after the message from US Ambassador Kennedy.
Inuneko Kyusainowa think that we should not inflict intense pain and fear wantonly.
Not only for the dolphin, which is intelligent and sensitive, and capable of fear and sadness.
We also have to care about cattle, pigs, birds, domestic animals, and wild animals.
We must make it our purpose to create an authorization system like "Freedom Food". (Freedom Food is the only UK assurance and food labelling scheme dedicated solely to improving farm animal welfare.).
For wild animals, we have been appealing for reconsideration of the policy of thoughtless extermination.
We need to devise and use a contraceptive vaccine to control their numbers.
We have to promote the research of alternatives to animal testing, without pain, and stop taking the lives of animals for medical research and the cosmetics industry.
We have to change our ideology of beauty, to think about the pain of animals that are killed for fashion such as fur, leather product and down coats.
The idea that women look beautiful wearing fur outdated. Inuneko Kyusainowa pay attention not only to dolphin in Taiji.
Wherever in Japan, all animals are the same.
We should not force pain and fear on them.
There is a limit to what we can do as a small association.
We have to do our best to voice our views aloud at every opportunity.
About dolphin hunting in Taiji.
In the same spirit that we propose to stop using living frogs for traditional religious service in Suwa Taisha, we see dolphin hunting as a similar thing.
Even if it is said to be tradition or culture, if it gives horrific pain, and takes life from the animal, it should be abolished, and improved with the times.
Cruel tradition and "cultural" practices which inflict pain are not in the national interest, and we will be left behind in international society.
We seriously have to accept the criticism from the government of USA, UK, Germany, and Netherlands.
The realization of abolition of dolphin hunting is a touchstone of whether or not Japan can thrive in harmony with the global community.
This is why we, Inuneko Kyusainowa should tackle the dolphin issue now.
If you agree with our thoughts, please do something to help abolish this cruel dolphin hunting.
Please send your demand to the government to abolish the dolphin hunting in Taiji.
Sent to: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Fisheries Agency,
Resources Management Department, General Affairs Division
1-2-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8907
FAX 03-3502-0794
The Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga.
Yokohama headquarters office
2-49, Syukucho, Minami-ku, Yokohama
TEL 045-743-5550, FAX 045-743-5296
http://www.sugayoshihide.gr.jp/mail.html
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Follow USA and UK, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Germany and Netherland embassy criticize the dolphin hunting in Taiji!
Just a day after the U.S. and U.K. Governments’ statements condemning the latest dolphin hunts in Taiji, Japan, the German Federal Agriculture Minister has also stepped forward with a statement condemning the hunts.
http://us.whales.org/blog/courtneyvail/2014/01/pressure-grows-on-dolphin-hunts-german-minister-speaks-out
The Netherlands embassy tweeted that the Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji gave shock to people in the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is strongly opposed to Dolphin hunting.
We demand complete prohibition by the IWC (International Whaling Commission)”.
https://twitter.com/NLinJapan/status/425955135655669760
To everyone from Inuneko Kyusainowa.
Thank you so much for your cooperation regarding the cruel dolphin hunting.
Today I want to explain why we object to dolphin hunting.
It is a pity that some people ask “Why it is wrong to kill dolphin.
Is it acceptable to kill cattle and pigs?” or “Do not interfere to the culture of another country” after the message from US Ambassador Kennedy.
Inuneko Kyusainowa think that we should not inflict intense pain and fear wantonly.
Not only for the dolphin, which is intelligent and sensitive, and capable of fear and sadness.
We also have to care about cattle, pigs, birds, domestic animals, and wild animals.
We must make it our purpose to create an authorization system like "Freedom Food". (Freedom Food is the only UK assurance and food labelling scheme dedicated solely to improving farm animal welfare.).
For wild animals, we have been appealing for reconsideration of the policy of thoughtless extermination.
We need to devise and use a contraceptive vaccine to control their numbers.
We have to promote the research of alternatives to animal testing, without pain, and stop taking the lives of animals for medical research and the cosmetics industry.
We have to change our ideology of beauty, to think about the pain of animals that are killed for fashion such as fur, leather product and down coats.
The idea that women look beautiful wearing fur outdated. Inuneko Kyusainowa pay attention not only to dolphin in Taiji.
Wherever in Japan, all animals are the same.
We should not force pain and fear on them.
There is a limit to what we can do as a small association.
We have to do our best to voice our views aloud at every opportunity.
About dolphin hunting in Taiji.
In the same spirit that we propose to stop using living frogs for traditional religious service in Suwa Taisha, we see dolphin hunting as a similar thing.
Even if it is said to be tradition or culture, if it gives horrific pain, and takes life from the animal, it should be abolished, and improved with the times.
Cruel tradition and "cultural" practices which inflict pain are not in the national interest, and we will be left behind in international society.
We seriously have to accept the criticism from the government of USA, UK, Germany, and Netherlands.
The realization of abolition of dolphin hunting is a touchstone of whether or not Japan can thrive in harmony with the global community.
This is why we, Inuneko Kyusainowa should tackle the dolphin issue now.
If you agree with our thoughts, please do something to help abolish this cruel dolphin hunting.
Please send your demand to the government to abolish the dolphin hunting in Taiji.
Sent to: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Fisheries Agency,
Resources Management Department, General Affairs Division
1-2-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8907
FAX 03-3502-0794
The Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga.
Yokohama headquarters office
2-49, Syukucho, Minami-ku, Yokohama
TEL 045-743-5550, FAX 045-743-5296
http://www.sugayoshihide.gr.jp/mail.html
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Follow USA and UK, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Germany and Netherland embassy criticize the dolphin hunting in Taiji!
Just a day after the U.S. and U.K. Governments’ statements condemning the latest dolphin hunts in Taiji, Japan, the German Federal Agriculture Minister has also stepped forward with a statement condemning the hunts.
http://us.whales.org/blog/courtneyvail/2014/01/pressure-grows-on-dolphin-hunts-german-minister-speaks-out
The Netherlands embassy tweeted that the Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji gave shock to people in the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is strongly opposed to Dolphin hunting.
We demand complete prohibition by the IWC (International Whaling Commission)”.
https://twitter.com/NLinJapan/status/425955135655669760
TO THE JAPANESE FISHERMAN OF TAIJI
FROM YOKO ONO LENNON, 20 JANUARY 2014.
http://imaginepeace.com/archives/20166
Dear Japanese Fishermen of Taiji,
I understand how you must feel about the one-sided-ness of the West to be angry at your traditional capture and slaughter of Dolphins. But that tradition was made only when the world, and Japanese Fishermen did not know what it meant to do harm to the Dolphins. I’m sure you have heard so many speeches in which all of these things have been discussed. So I will not bore you with it.
But I think you should think of this situation from the point-of-view of the big picture. Japan has gone through such hard times lately. And we need the sympathy and help of the rest of the world. It will give an excuse for big countries and their children in China, India and Russia to speak ill of Japan when we should be communicating our strong love for peace, not violence.
I am sure that it is not easy, but please consider the safety of the future of Japan, surrounded by many powerful countries which are always looking for the chance to weaken the power of our country. The future of Japan and its safety depends on many situations, but what you do with Dolphins now can create a very bad relationship with the whole world.
The way you are insisting on a big celebration of killing so many Dolphins and kidnapping some of them to sell to the zoos and restaurants at this very politically sensitive time, will make the children of the world hate the Japanese.
For many, many years and decades we have worked hard to receive true understanding of the Japanese from the world. And, because of our effort, Japan is now respected as a country of good power and ingenuity. This did not happen without our efforts of many decades.
But what we enjoy now, can be destroyed literally in one day. I beg of you to consider our precarious situation after the nuclear disaster (which could very well effect the rest of the world, as well).
Please use political tact and cancel the festival which will be considered by the rest of the world as a sign of Japanese arrogance, ignorance, and love for an act of violence.
Thank you.
Yoko Ono Lennon
20 January 2014
cc Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Thank you for your e-mail on dolphin hunting in Taiji.
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands already tweeted about this issue. (@nlinjapan):
“Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji gave shock to the people in Netherlands.
Kingdom of the Netherlands strongly oppose to Dolphin hunting.
Demand complete prohibition to IWC (International Whaling Commission)”
In spite of the Kingdom of the Netherlands oppose to cruel dolphin hunting, in fact, our action is quite limited.
Dolphin hunting is the domestic activity in Japan, not prohibited by International Whaling Commission.
Kingdom of Netherlands giving high priority to be prohibited the capture of cetacean in various international meeting.
For example, in the meeting of IWC 2010, we argued that small marine mammals should be the subject of IWC.
Kingdom of Belgium moved a resolution for this aim and Kingdom of Netherlands supported. However it couldn’t get a majority and unfortunately rejected.
Also at the cabinet meeting of Japan and Netherlands, we emphasized the oppose to Dolphin hunting. Japanese government already understand our point of view.
We will continue to express our opinion at the future cabinet meeting.
Arjen van den Berg
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Head of the Political Department
Thank you for your email on dolphins in Taiji.
The UK opposes all forms of dolphin and porpoise drives and believes they cause unacceptable levels of suffering. At the recent annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in July, 2011 (IWC63) the UK urged members to support the conservation of small cetaceans.
Under international law it is primarily for individual countries to regulate the management and killing of small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises) in their own waters, so dolphin hunts such as those in Taiji and Futo are regulated by Japanese domestic not international legislation. However we feel very strongly about the welfare issues raised by these dolphin hunts. In response to previous hunts we have raised our concerns with the Japanese Government and sought assurances that legislation regulating them will be improved and enforced. We also continue to work within the International Whaling Commission to sponsor resolutions that raise the profile of the issue and to encourage the IWC to adopt a strong position in favour of the protection of small cetaceans.
The UK Government has, bilaterally and in the IWC, raised its concern over Japanese dolphin hunts with the Japanese Government and will continue to do so until there is progress through these discussions. The Japanese Government are in no doubt of the strength of feeling in the UK about these hunts and the UK Government will continue to make their opposition to the hunting of small cetaceans known to Japan at every appropriate opportunity and argue that they undermine the credibility of the IWC as an effective organisation for the conservation of cetacean stocks worldwide.
Climate Change and Energy Section
British Embassy Tokyo
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Action!
Stop cruel dolphin hunting in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan!
Please send your message to embassies in Japan!
What can we do now?
Let’s do what we can do!
Please send your message like as I hope for the abolition of cruel dolphin fishing of Taiji.
Please offer the abolition to the Japanese government from your country.
Embassy of the United States Tokyo.
http://japan2.usembassy.gov/j/info/tinfoj-email.html
Australia Embassy Tokyo.
http://www.australia.or.jp/enquiries/general.php
Ambassador to Japan, Bruce Miller’s twitter official account.
https://twitter.com/AusAmbJP
New Zealand Embassy Tokyo, Japan
mail to : nzemb.tky.pa@mfat.govt.nz
Kingdom of the Netherlands
mail to : tok@minbuza.nl
Kingdom of the Netherlands, twitter official account of consulate.
https://twitter.com/NLinJapan
Embassy of India
mail to : jpembjic@nd.mofa.go.jp
Embaixada do Brasil em Tokyo
mail to : brasemb.toquio@itamaraty.gov.br
Embajada de Mexico en Japon
http://embamex.sre.gob.mx/japon/index.php/ja/contactanos
Embajada de la Republica Argentina
http://www.ejapo.mrecic.gov.ar/es/contact/96
British Embassy Tokyo
FROM YOKO ONO LENNON, 20 JANUARY 2014.
http://imaginepeace.com/archives/20166
Dear Japanese Fishermen of Taiji,
I understand how you must feel about the one-sided-ness of the West to be angry at your traditional capture and slaughter of Dolphins. But that tradition was made only when the world, and Japanese Fishermen did not know what it meant to do harm to the Dolphins. I’m sure you have heard so many speeches in which all of these things have been discussed. So I will not bore you with it.
But I think you should think of this situation from the point-of-view of the big picture. Japan has gone through such hard times lately. And we need the sympathy and help of the rest of the world. It will give an excuse for big countries and their children in China, India and Russia to speak ill of Japan when we should be communicating our strong love for peace, not violence.
I am sure that it is not easy, but please consider the safety of the future of Japan, surrounded by many powerful countries which are always looking for the chance to weaken the power of our country. The future of Japan and its safety depends on many situations, but what you do with Dolphins now can create a very bad relationship with the whole world.
The way you are insisting on a big celebration of killing so many Dolphins and kidnapping some of them to sell to the zoos and restaurants at this very politically sensitive time, will make the children of the world hate the Japanese.
For many, many years and decades we have worked hard to receive true understanding of the Japanese from the world. And, because of our effort, Japan is now respected as a country of good power and ingenuity. This did not happen without our efforts of many decades.
But what we enjoy now, can be destroyed literally in one day. I beg of you to consider our precarious situation after the nuclear disaster (which could very well effect the rest of the world, as well).
Please use political tact and cancel the festival which will be considered by the rest of the world as a sign of Japanese arrogance, ignorance, and love for an act of violence.
Thank you.
Yoko Ono Lennon
20 January 2014
cc Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Thank you for your e-mail on dolphin hunting in Taiji.
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands already tweeted about this issue. (@nlinjapan):
“Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji gave shock to the people in Netherlands.
Kingdom of the Netherlands strongly oppose to Dolphin hunting.
Demand complete prohibition to IWC (International Whaling Commission)”
In spite of the Kingdom of the Netherlands oppose to cruel dolphin hunting, in fact, our action is quite limited.
Dolphin hunting is the domestic activity in Japan, not prohibited by International Whaling Commission.
Kingdom of Netherlands giving high priority to be prohibited the capture of cetacean in various international meeting.
For example, in the meeting of IWC 2010, we argued that small marine mammals should be the subject of IWC.
Kingdom of Belgium moved a resolution for this aim and Kingdom of Netherlands supported. However it couldn’t get a majority and unfortunately rejected.
Also at the cabinet meeting of Japan and Netherlands, we emphasized the oppose to Dolphin hunting. Japanese government already understand our point of view.
We will continue to express our opinion at the future cabinet meeting.
Arjen van den Berg
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Head of the Political Department
Thank you for your email on dolphins in Taiji.
The UK opposes all forms of dolphin and porpoise drives and believes they cause unacceptable levels of suffering. At the recent annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in July, 2011 (IWC63) the UK urged members to support the conservation of small cetaceans.
Under international law it is primarily for individual countries to regulate the management and killing of small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises) in their own waters, so dolphin hunts such as those in Taiji and Futo are regulated by Japanese domestic not international legislation. However we feel very strongly about the welfare issues raised by these dolphin hunts. In response to previous hunts we have raised our concerns with the Japanese Government and sought assurances that legislation regulating them will be improved and enforced. We also continue to work within the International Whaling Commission to sponsor resolutions that raise the profile of the issue and to encourage the IWC to adopt a strong position in favour of the protection of small cetaceans.
The UK Government has, bilaterally and in the IWC, raised its concern over Japanese dolphin hunts with the Japanese Government and will continue to do so until there is progress through these discussions. The Japanese Government are in no doubt of the strength of feeling in the UK about these hunts and the UK Government will continue to make their opposition to the hunting of small cetaceans known to Japan at every appropriate opportunity and argue that they undermine the credibility of the IWC as an effective organisation for the conservation of cetacean stocks worldwide.
Climate Change and Energy Section
British Embassy Tokyo
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Action!
Stop cruel dolphin hunting in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan!
Please send your message to embassies in Japan!
What can we do now?
Let’s do what we can do!
Please send your message like as I hope for the abolition of cruel dolphin fishing of Taiji.
Please offer the abolition to the Japanese government from your country.
Embassy of the United States Tokyo.
http://japan2.usembassy.gov/j/info/tinfoj-email.html
Australia Embassy Tokyo.
http://www.australia.or.jp/enquiries/general.php
Ambassador to Japan, Bruce Miller’s twitter official account.
https://twitter.com/AusAmbJP
New Zealand Embassy Tokyo, Japan
mail to : nzemb.tky.pa@mfat.govt.nz
Kingdom of the Netherlands
mail to : tok@minbuza.nl
Kingdom of the Netherlands, twitter official account of consulate.
https://twitter.com/NLinJapan
Embassy of India
mail to : jpembjic@nd.mofa.go.jp
Embaixada do Brasil em Tokyo
mail to : brasemb.toquio@itamaraty.gov.br
Embajada de Mexico en Japon
http://embamex.sre.gob.mx/japon/index.php/ja/contactanos
Embajada de la Republica Argentina
http://www.ejapo.mrecic.gov.ar/es/contact/96
British Embassy Tokyo
Fukushima 2014
January 11, 2014
Fukushima 2014.
I wished I could have more time this year.
But it is a dream beyond dreams.
I have so many things to report to you, but I can’t yet.
I am so sorry.
For feeding activity, I can’t be delayed.
Life is the top priority.
I do my best with my fellows.
Within the 20km area from Nuclear Power Plant, a 1km or 2km area in particular will be closed completely.
When the government decides to nationalize the land and make the interim storage facility, that process will impose a limit on the life of abandoned cats.
I can’t abandon them. I can’t stop it.
Now volunteers are few. It puts more pressure on me.
But I have to act.
The weather report said that there will be rain or snow.
But when I'm with this volunteer, Matatabi, it is always fine weather.
Maybe she's a witch?
Thank you for so much food!
Hang on, my poor car!
How many kilos are these?
I can’t carry a lot, my body is in pain.
Matatabi is too beautiful.
Set a capture cage near the nuclear power plant following a request from an owner.
Some cats were rescued.
The volunteers always do their best.
They use all of their energy, spiritual strength, and economic power.
It said “group” but it just consists of a few people.
We don’t have any special financial support.
Our activity is supported by each of you.
That strength of support makes a circle, and this is why we can rescue life around the nuclear power plant.
We'll do what we can do until the government decides to nationalize there.
We wold appreciate if you could support us by donating food, or anything else you can do.
Fukushima 2014.
I wished I could have more time this year.
But it is a dream beyond dreams.
I have so many things to report to you, but I can’t yet.
I am so sorry.
For feeding activity, I can’t be delayed.
Life is the top priority.
I do my best with my fellows.
Within the 20km area from Nuclear Power Plant, a 1km or 2km area in particular will be closed completely.
When the government decides to nationalize the land and make the interim storage facility, that process will impose a limit on the life of abandoned cats.
I can’t abandon them. I can’t stop it.
Now volunteers are few. It puts more pressure on me.
But I have to act.
The weather report said that there will be rain or snow.
But when I'm with this volunteer, Matatabi, it is always fine weather.
Maybe she's a witch?
Thank you for so much food!
Hang on, my poor car!
How many kilos are these?
I can’t carry a lot, my body is in pain.
Matatabi is too beautiful.
Set a capture cage near the nuclear power plant following a request from an owner.
Some cats were rescued.
The volunteers always do their best.
They use all of their energy, spiritual strength, and economic power.
It said “group” but it just consists of a few people.
We don’t have any special financial support.
Our activity is supported by each of you.
That strength of support makes a circle, and this is why we can rescue life around the nuclear power plant.
We'll do what we can do until the government decides to nationalize there.
We wold appreciate if you could support us by donating food, or anything else you can do.
Leave for Fukushima
January 8m, 2014
I leave for Fukushima tonight. It may snow.......
Cats won’t be able to find the food in this coldness.
It was so painful and sad.
Don’t worry.
We will bring the food.
I'll do my best.
Thank you so much.
I leave for Fukushima tonight. It may snow.......
Cats won’t be able to find the food in this coldness.
It was so painful and sad.
Don’t worry.
We will bring the food.
I'll do my best.
Thank you so much.
The first animal police hot line will be installed by Hyogo prefectural police
January 6, 2014
The first animal police hot line will be installed by Hyogo prefectural police, in the hopes of catching animal abuse early. (Kobe newspaper/December 19, 2013)
http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/shakai/201312/0006583487.shtml
Hyogo prefectural police announced the opening of a telephone counseling “Animal Police Hotline” in December, at the Consumer and Economic Crime Division.
This is to find animal abuse early, and deal with it.
They consider animal abuse as an early warning of other possible atrocious crimes.
This is the first such activity by police anywhere in Japan.
Regarding animal abuse, the U.S.A., for example, established the service known as the Humane Society, and gives them the power to investigate and arrest malicious cases.
In Japan, the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals was revised in September, 2013.
It strengthened penal regulations regarding bloodshed and cruelty.
In Hyogo prefecture, there is no end to suspected abuse.
The Consumer and Economic Crime Division said that they found 51 dead animal bodies by November, 2013.
11 bodies seemed to have been killed artificially.
Hyogo prefectural police conducted 6 prosecutions on charges of breaking the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals, involving cruelty and abandonment.
Between June and August in 2012, 18 dead bodies of cats were found in Kakogawa and Takasago city.
This caused their decision to open the telephone service.
3 members of Consumer and Economic Crime Division will take charge of this hot line and cooperate with each police station and authority.
Animal Police Hotline From January 6, 2014
078-371-8974 (9:00am to 17:00pm on weekday)
The first animal police hot line will be installed by Hyogo prefectural police, in the hopes of catching animal abuse early. (Kobe newspaper/December 19, 2013)
http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/shakai/201312/0006583487.shtml
Hyogo prefectural police announced the opening of a telephone counseling “Animal Police Hotline” in December, at the Consumer and Economic Crime Division.
This is to find animal abuse early, and deal with it.
They consider animal abuse as an early warning of other possible atrocious crimes.
This is the first such activity by police anywhere in Japan.
Regarding animal abuse, the U.S.A., for example, established the service known as the Humane Society, and gives them the power to investigate and arrest malicious cases.
In Japan, the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals was revised in September, 2013.
It strengthened penal regulations regarding bloodshed and cruelty.
In Hyogo prefecture, there is no end to suspected abuse.
The Consumer and Economic Crime Division said that they found 51 dead animal bodies by November, 2013.
11 bodies seemed to have been killed artificially.
Hyogo prefectural police conducted 6 prosecutions on charges of breaking the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals, involving cruelty and abandonment.
Between June and August in 2012, 18 dead bodies of cats were found in Kakogawa and Takasago city.
This caused their decision to open the telephone service.
3 members of Consumer and Economic Crime Division will take charge of this hot line and cooperate with each police station and authority.
Animal Police Hotline From January 6, 2014
078-371-8974 (9:00am to 17:00pm on weekday)
Final report of rescue party in Fukushima.
January 5, 2014
Final report of rescue party in Fukushima.
We finished the activity in November and December.
I thank you so much for your cooperation.
We didn’t want to make promises we couldn't keep.
That's why we set our aim on 50 as a number of cats to protect.
We didn’t imagine we could ever keep all of them, considering each group's situation.
We planned on keeping as many as possible, and for those remaining, do TNR and return them to their original towns.
But I strongly wanted to keep all of them, and find them new families.
I really didn’t want to send them back to towns where no one lives.
Then each rescue member offered to accept some, and we finally managed to keep all of them.
We all thought that we can’t send them back to such a severe place.
Our strong passion, action, and effort made the impossible possible.
I made a desperate effort for this activity, and I don’t remember everything.
To rescue life is same as war. It was extremely hard activity, and everyone was so great.
I knew they are great people, but again I was even more impressed by them.
Thank you so much everyone.
Report on rescue activity in Fukushima.
Capture rescue number: 49 cats.
We will rescue one more cat, whose collar hangs diagonally on the body.
Then this project will be done.
But we have to do something before the government nationalizes that part of Fukushima.
Capture rescue number: 49 cats + 1 cat
TOTAL 50 cats
Acceptance group;
Nyanda Guard: 13
CAPIN: 6
Koenji Nyandarazu: 6
Nekono Maria: 6
Inuneko Kyusainowa: 18 + remaining 1 cat
TOTAL: 50
Rescue party organized with the following associations.
Citizens for animal protection, Ibaraki network
CAPIN Naraha Toioka rescue party, nekoneko
Looking for families for animals
Nyanda Guard
Koenji Nyandarazu
Matatabikeno Nichijyo
Nekokatsu
With tortoiseshell cat, Miko
Nekono Maria
Inuneko Kyusainowa
TNR Japan Animal Welfare Hospital, veterinarian team
AND; Residents in Naraha.
Private volunteers.
Certainly there are so many lives that were saved here.
I hope for their happy future.
I thank all of you who support this activity.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Rescued information.
Are there any owners of these cats?
No.1514
Male, grey and white
At Tomioka on December 28 by Koenji Nyandarazu.
FIV(－)FeLV(－)
No.1513
Male, greay and white
At Tomioka on December 28 by Koenji Nyandarazu.
FIV(－)FeLV(－)
No.0565 / No.0566
2 Siamese brothers, male About 4 months old (estimate) At Okuma on December 27 by Inuneko Kyusainowa
FIV(-)FeLV(－)
No.1512
Female, Red tabby
At Naraha on December 21 by nekoneko and Gan-san.
FIV(＋)FeLV(－)
No.1511 Male, Red tabby
At Tomioka on December 21 by nekoneko and Gan-san.
FIV(＋)FeLV(－)
No.1510 Male, Brown and white.
At Okuma on December 21 by nekoneko and Gan-san.
FIV(＋)FeLV(－)
Final report of rescue party in Fukushima.
We finished the activity in November and December.
I thank you so much for your cooperation.
We didn’t want to make promises we couldn't keep.
That's why we set our aim on 50 as a number of cats to protect.
We didn’t imagine we could ever keep all of them, considering each group's situation.
We planned on keeping as many as possible, and for those remaining, do TNR and return them to their original towns.
But I strongly wanted to keep all of them, and find them new families.
I really didn’t want to send them back to towns where no one lives.
Then each rescue member offered to accept some, and we finally managed to keep all of them.
We all thought that we can’t send them back to such a severe place.
Our strong passion, action, and effort made the impossible possible.
I made a desperate effort for this activity, and I don’t remember everything.
To rescue life is same as war. It was extremely hard activity, and everyone was so great.
I knew they are great people, but again I was even more impressed by them.
Thank you so much everyone.
Report on rescue activity in Fukushima.
Capture rescue number: 49 cats.
We will rescue one more cat, whose collar hangs diagonally on the body.
Then this project will be done.
But we have to do something before the government nationalizes that part of Fukushima.
Capture rescue number: 49 cats + 1 cat
TOTAL 50 cats
Acceptance group;
Nyanda Guard: 13
CAPIN: 6
Koenji Nyandarazu: 6
Nekono Maria: 6
Inuneko Kyusainowa: 18 + remaining 1 cat
TOTAL: 50
Rescue party organized with the following associations.
Citizens for animal protection, Ibaraki network
CAPIN Naraha Toioka rescue party, nekoneko
Looking for families for animals
Nyanda Guard
Koenji Nyandarazu
Matatabikeno Nichijyo
Nekokatsu
With tortoiseshell cat, Miko
Nekono Maria
Inuneko Kyusainowa
TNR Japan Animal Welfare Hospital, veterinarian team
AND; Residents in Naraha.
Private volunteers.
Certainly there are so many lives that were saved here.
I hope for their happy future.
I thank all of you who support this activity.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Rescued information.
Are there any owners of these cats?
No.1514
Male, grey and white
At Tomioka on December 28 by Koenji Nyandarazu.
FIV(－)FeLV(－)
No.1513
Male, greay and white
At Tomioka on December 28 by Koenji Nyandarazu.
FIV(－)FeLV(－)
No.0565 / No.0566
2 Siamese brothers, male About 4 months old (estimate) At Okuma on December 27 by Inuneko Kyusainowa
FIV(-)FeLV(－)
No.1512
Female, Red tabby
At Naraha on December 21 by nekoneko and Gan-san.
FIV(＋)FeLV(－)
No.1511 Male, Red tabby
At Tomioka on December 21 by nekoneko and Gan-san.
FIV(＋)FeLV(－)
No.1510 Male, Brown and white.
At Okuma on December 21 by nekoneko and Gan-san.
FIV(＋)FeLV(－)
Interim storage facility: the government demands nationalization of land around the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
January 4, 2014
Interim storage facility: the government demands nationalization of land around the Fukushima nuclear power plant. (Mainichi newspaper, December 14, 2013)
http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20131215k0000m010035000c.html
The government demanded that Fukushima prefecture accept the plan to construct interim storage facilities which will store contaminated soil for a maximum of 30 years.
The government will buy land totaling 19km2 from 3 towns.
Minister of Environment Nobuaki Ishihara, and Minister for Reconstruction Takumi Nemoto visited Fukushima city and explained this plan to the governor Yuhei Sato and local Mayors.
This plan will crash all hope of evacuation sufferers for returning to their former homes.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
The nationalization of the land, and the implementation of the interim storage facility plan, are closing off access to all life that was abandoned there.
What can I do before that happens......
I'll do my best.
Please support us.
Interim storage facility: the government demands nationalization of land around the Fukushima nuclear power plant. (Mainichi newspaper, December 14, 2013)
http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20131215k0000m010035000c.html
The government demanded that Fukushima prefecture accept the plan to construct interim storage facilities which will store contaminated soil for a maximum of 30 years.
The government will buy land totaling 19km2 from 3 towns.
Minister of Environment Nobuaki Ishihara, and Minister for Reconstruction Takumi Nemoto visited Fukushima city and explained this plan to the governor Yuhei Sato and local Mayors.
This plan will crash all hope of evacuation sufferers for returning to their former homes.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
The nationalization of the land, and the implementation of the interim storage facility plan, are closing off access to all life that was abandoned there.
What can I do before that happens......
I'll do my best.
Please support us.
What we can do to stop the cruel dolphin hunting.
What we can do to stop the cruel dolphin hunting.
Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy Tokyo and British Embassy Tokyo have been protesting against dolphin hunting in Taiji.
We received the e-mail from both embassies as follows.
Many foreign countries has been protesting against cruel dolphin hunting.
We, Inuneko Kyusainowa never give up until dolphin hunting is abolished and give peace to the dolphin.
Thank you for your e-mail on dolphin hunting in Taiji.
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands already tweeted about this issue. (@nlinjapan):
“Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji gave shock to the people in Netherlands.
Kingdom of the Netherlands strongly oppose to Dolphin hunting.
Demand complete prohibition to IWC (International Whaling Commission)”
In spite of the Kingdom of the Netherlands oppose to cruel dolphin hunting, in fact, our action is quite limited.
Dolphin hunting is the domestic activity in Japan, not prohibited by International Whaling Commission.
Kingdom of Netherlands giving high priority to be prohibited the capture of cetacean in various international meeting.
For example, in the meeting of IWC 2010, we argued that small marine mammals should be the subject of IWC.
Kingdom of Belgium moved a resolution for this aim and Kingdom of Netherlands supported. However it couldn’t get a majority and unfortunately rejected.
Also at the cabinet meeting of Japan and Netherlands, we emphasized the oppose to Dolphin hunting. Japanese government already understand our point of view.
We will continue to express our opinion at the future cabinet meeting.
Arjen van den Berg
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Head of the Political Department
Thank you for your email on dolphins in Taiji.
The UK opposes all forms of dolphin and porpoise drives and believes they cause unacceptable levels of suffering. At the recent annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in July, 2011 (IWC63) the UK urged members to support the conservation of small cetaceans.
Under international law it is primarily for individual countries to regulate the management and killing of small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises) in their own waters, so dolphin hunts such as those in Taiji and Futo are regulated by Japanese domestic not international legislation. However we feel very strongly about the welfare issues raised by these dolphin hunts. In response to previous hunts we have raised our concerns with the Japanese Government and sought assurances that legislation regulating them will be improved and enforced. We also continue to work within the International Whaling Commission to sponsor resolutions that raise the profile of the issue and to encourage the IWC to adopt a strong position in favour of the protection of small cetaceans.
The UK Government has, bilaterally and in the IWC, raised its concern over Japanese dolphin hunts with the Japanese Government and will continue to do so until there is progress through these discussions. The Japanese Government are in no doubt of the strength of feeling in the UK about these hunts and the UK Government will continue to make their opposition to the hunting of small cetaceans known to Japan at every appropriate opportunity and argue that they undermine the credibility of the IWC as an effective organisation for the conservation of cetacean stocks worldwide.
Climate Change and Energy Section
British Embassy Tokyo
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Please abolish the dolphin hunts!!
The protest demonstration objecting to dolphin hunting in front of the Fisheries Agency after the twitter message of U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy.(Jiji Tsushin, January 24)
U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy tweeted against dolphin hunting in Taiji, Japan.
About 25 citizens who agree with her message conducted a protest demonstration in front of the Fisheries Agency on the evening of January 24.
Mrs. Noriko Ikeda, (29), who organizes the “Association of Volunteers for the Abolition of Dolphin Hunting” indicates that the criticism from overseas is increasing again.
She said that there is actually very little consumption of dolphin meat.
The main purpose of the hunt is selling specimens to aquariums.
We object to the commercial sales of dolphins.Regarding Caroline Kennedy’s message, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said that he will ask the U.S. Government to understand that this dolphin hunt is a tradition of Japan.
2014.01.24 demonstration protesting dolphin hunting.
Action!
Stop cruel dolphin hunting in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan!
Please send your message to embassies in Japan!
What can we do now?
Let’s do what we can do!
Please send your message, as I hope for the abolition of cruel dolphin fishing of Taiji.
Please plea from your country to the Japanese government for the abolition of this practice.
Embassy of the United States Tokyo.
http://japan2.usembassy.gov/j/info/tinfoj-email.html
Australia Embassy Tokyo.
http://www.australia.or.jp/enquiries/general.php
Ambassador to Japan, Bruce Miller’s twitter official account.
https://twitter.com/AusAmbJP
New Zealand Embassy Tokyo, Japan
mail to : nzemb.tky.pa@mfat.govt.nz
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tokyo
mail to : tok@minbuza.nl
Kingdom of the Netherlands, twitter official account of consulate.
https://twitter.com/NLinJapan
Embassy of Indiamail to : jpembjic@nd.mofa.go.jp
Embaixada do Brasil em Tokyo
mail to : brasemb.toquio@itamaraty.gov.br
Embajada de Mexico en Japon
http://embamex.sre.gob.mx/japon/index.php/ja/contactanos
Embajada de la Republica Argentina
http://www.ejapo.mrecic.gov.ar/es/contact/96
British Embassy Tokyo
Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy Tokyo and British Embassy Tokyo have been protesting against dolphin hunting in Taiji.
We received the e-mail from both embassies as follows.
Many foreign countries has been protesting against cruel dolphin hunting.
We, Inuneko Kyusainowa never give up until dolphin hunting is abolished and give peace to the dolphin.
Thank you for your e-mail on dolphin hunting in Taiji.
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands already tweeted about this issue. (@nlinjapan):
“Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji gave shock to the people in Netherlands.
Kingdom of the Netherlands strongly oppose to Dolphin hunting.
Demand complete prohibition to IWC (International Whaling Commission)”
In spite of the Kingdom of the Netherlands oppose to cruel dolphin hunting, in fact, our action is quite limited.
Dolphin hunting is the domestic activity in Japan, not prohibited by International Whaling Commission.
Kingdom of Netherlands giving high priority to be prohibited the capture of cetacean in various international meeting.
For example, in the meeting of IWC 2010, we argued that small marine mammals should be the subject of IWC.
Kingdom of Belgium moved a resolution for this aim and Kingdom of Netherlands supported. However it couldn’t get a majority and unfortunately rejected.
Also at the cabinet meeting of Japan and Netherlands, we emphasized the oppose to Dolphin hunting. Japanese government already understand our point of view.
We will continue to express our opinion at the future cabinet meeting.
Arjen van den Berg
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Head of the Political Department
Thank you for your email on dolphins in Taiji.
The UK opposes all forms of dolphin and porpoise drives and believes they cause unacceptable levels of suffering. At the recent annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in July, 2011 (IWC63) the UK urged members to support the conservation of small cetaceans.
Under international law it is primarily for individual countries to regulate the management and killing of small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises) in their own waters, so dolphin hunts such as those in Taiji and Futo are regulated by Japanese domestic not international legislation. However we feel very strongly about the welfare issues raised by these dolphin hunts. In response to previous hunts we have raised our concerns with the Japanese Government and sought assurances that legislation regulating them will be improved and enforced. We also continue to work within the International Whaling Commission to sponsor resolutions that raise the profile of the issue and to encourage the IWC to adopt a strong position in favour of the protection of small cetaceans.
The UK Government has, bilaterally and in the IWC, raised its concern over Japanese dolphin hunts with the Japanese Government and will continue to do so until there is progress through these discussions. The Japanese Government are in no doubt of the strength of feeling in the UK about these hunts and the UK Government will continue to make their opposition to the hunting of small cetaceans known to Japan at every appropriate opportunity and argue that they undermine the credibility of the IWC as an effective organisation for the conservation of cetacean stocks worldwide.
Climate Change and Energy Section
British Embassy Tokyo
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Please abolish the dolphin hunts!!
The protest demonstration objecting to dolphin hunting in front of the Fisheries Agency after the twitter message of U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy.(Jiji Tsushin, January 24)
U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy tweeted against dolphin hunting in Taiji, Japan.
About 25 citizens who agree with her message conducted a protest demonstration in front of the Fisheries Agency on the evening of January 24.
Mrs. Noriko Ikeda, (29), who organizes the “Association of Volunteers for the Abolition of Dolphin Hunting” indicates that the criticism from overseas is increasing again.
She said that there is actually very little consumption of dolphin meat.
The main purpose of the hunt is selling specimens to aquariums.
We object to the commercial sales of dolphins.Regarding Caroline Kennedy’s message, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said that he will ask the U.S. Government to understand that this dolphin hunt is a tradition of Japan.
2014.01.24 demonstration protesting dolphin hunting.
Action!
Stop cruel dolphin hunting in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan!
Please send your message to embassies in Japan!
What can we do now?
Let’s do what we can do!
Please send your message, as I hope for the abolition of cruel dolphin fishing of Taiji.
Please plea from your country to the Japanese government for the abolition of this practice.
Embassy of the United States Tokyo.
http://japan2.usembassy.gov/j/info/tinfoj-email.html
Australia Embassy Tokyo.
http://www.australia.or.jp/enquiries/general.php
Ambassador to Japan, Bruce Miller’s twitter official account.
https://twitter.com/AusAmbJP
New Zealand Embassy Tokyo, Japan
mail to : nzemb.tky.pa@mfat.govt.nz
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tokyo
mail to : tok@minbuza.nl
Kingdom of the Netherlands, twitter official account of consulate.
https://twitter.com/NLinJapan
Embassy of Indiamail to : jpembjic@nd.mofa.go.jp
Embaixada do Brasil em Tokyo
mail to : brasemb.toquio@itamaraty.gov.br
Embajada de Mexico en Japon
http://embamex.sre.gob.mx/japon/index.php/ja/contactanos
Embajada de la Republica Argentina
http://www.ejapo.mrecic.gov.ar/es/contact/96
British Embassy Tokyo
