Reactions Worldwide to Japan’s Whaling Announcement
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Reactions Worldwide to Japan’s Whaling Announcement
Most countries nearest to the Antarctic waters are violently opposed to Japan’s decision to resume their whaling in their waters, whether it is for scientific purposes or not. Australia’s government has condemned the proposed action; Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced, after learning of Japan’s intentions, that “Australia would pursue legal action if the two nations cannot find a diplomatic resolution” to the question.
H.H. Giovanni Caporaso Gottlieb, head of government of the Principality of West Antarctic, reacted in a similar manner, stating that he “will consider any action of whale hunting, in the territorial waters of the Principality of West Antarctic, as an act of war” and that he will do anything that is necessary to prohibit the Japanese whalers from carrying out their nefarious mission. In an official statement he has called on all members nations of the United Nations to raise their voice against Japan’s whaling Endeavours and to uphold international law.
Other countries and organizations that have had a negative reaction towards Japan’s intentions include New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay. In particular, the Chilean government has stated that its navy would “monitor the movements” of the factory ship. Sea Shepherd and Green Peace have been actively working against the fleet in both the Antarctic waters and in Japan itself. Sea Shepherd members have also been quoted as saying that they would gladly lay their life on the line to bring whaling to a halt.
The main question we need to ask is: if Japan’s whaling is aimed solely for scientific research, why is there so much whale meat available in Japanese restaurants and stores? Why is it so easy to look up prices for whale meat on-line and come up with hundreds of thousands of links, with prices starting at $13.00 USD per pound? And one other question comes to mind: if this thousand year culinary tradition is so important, shouldn’t cannibals be allowed to continue their culinary traditions? There are a lot more of what they eat around than there are whales…
