Japanese Fleet to Hunt Humpback Whales, boycot their products?

Question

This is an outrage and disgrace and I cannot understand if the population of humpback whales is recovering, why would there now be a "scientific whale hunt" to once again jeopardize the population!
It amazes me as to the brutality of these Japanese whalers, and how sad it is that people continue their cruelty to these beautiful creatures.
There is no need for the Japanese to hunt whales. Starvation or ancient native sustenance are not issues.
If the Japanese claim tradition, then they should whale from traditional vessels and row or sail their butts out into the ocean.
Whales are higher mammals that deserve the respect of humans as beings in their own right.

Sorry I do not usually rant on like this and I am not a greenpeace tree hugging soul, but it just makes my blood boil when they say it is for scientific reasons and the real reason is they want to carry on a tradition that was stopped nearly 40 years ago.
If you feel as strong as I do about it then I suggest you boycott all Japanese trade goods and make it known that that you are doing this and the reasons why.

Answer 1

I think that's a great idea. I've stopped purchasing products from Japan for three years for this very reason.

There is even a neat website (see link below) called "Boycott Japan" that has some detailed and interesting information on how to boycott products from Japan and get the anti-whaling message to these people.

I'm not an advocate of anyone going to extreme measures to enforce (no matter how right, just and humane) an act on another society.

In this case though I'm sick of the arrogance and disregard Japan displays to the world (be it historical revisionism in the atrocities they committed in WWII or whaling) that I think heavy handed measures should be taken.

I'd be thrilled to see the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy intercept these whaling ships, order the crews off, haul them into U.S. or British ports and scrap them.

Answer 2

Boycotting Japanese products will not help in regards to the slaughter of the Humpback whales. Japan's government had the audacity to annulled the moratorium on the Humpbacks, knowing the whales are an endangered specie. I can't fathom that a civilized country could do this. According to Fox, whale meat is already showing up in grocery markets across Japan which is considered a delicacy among the older generation. I normally do not get upset, but the plight of whales and the jungle meat issue have driven me to be more proactive. I sent an E-Mail to the Japanese Fisheries Assoc., and GreenPeace expressing my utter disgust over the massacre of the whales. Like you, I don't usually get so worked up.

Answer 3

I love Japan, but I hate whaling and agree totally with what you're saying. It's so sad because most Japanese don't really know or care about what is going on, but they should. If there was more resistance then maybe it would stop. Most Japanese don't eat whale meat or do not eat it often and there is no need for them to hunt whales. It's so cruel, and very threatening to the species. There are huge surpluses of whale meat because there is no demand for it anymore. The government wants to continue with whaling for no apparent reason and if they go on like this there will be no whales left to hunt. They are such majestic creatures and deserve more respect. They definately do not deserve to be brutally slaughtered.

I recommend watching the mini series Whale Love Wagon. It's very interesting, and explores the relationship between whales and the Japanese people. http://www.whalelove.org/en/wagon/

SAVE THE WHALE!

Answer 4

I don't like western people just bash entire Japan and Japanese (and even boycott Japanese products?!) as if we all eat and support catching whales. My friends and people get discriminated so bad in some countries ONLY BECAUSE we are Japanese, and these ignorant questions and answers (calling us "Jap", "Japs are savage." etc) not caring others increase it worse. What can normal Japanese citizens do to stop it?

I am sure almost all Japanese people thinks it's not right at all. Seeing hitting them so many times and the entire water is covered totally red, how cruel is that. I am a Japanese and have never even seen or had whale meats, my parents and I think personally it's so wrong but how can we stop that? If you were a vegitarian, could you even stop killing cows? I understand people think it's very brutal thing to do and I agree strongly. But people are very ignorant to discriminate us with very bad mouth. And if you suggest boycott us, make sure boycott Norway and Iceland products, because they catch over 500 whales every year too...

Answer 5

I really don't think boycotting Japanese products will change this. All Japan will do is increase taxes in their own country and continue.
I don't know what is the best answer to this, but I suspect education of Japanese children might be one. Fair education, not brainwashing ... not telling them hunting whales is wrong, but letting them make up their own minds. Pro and Con facts side by side, and some feeling of connection with live whales. More understanding of whales per se.
The changes have to come from the Japanese themselves.
Many Japanese kids study in Europe and the U.S.A. and Australia these days; these are the kids to win over. When they return to their country, they will make a difference.
Within Japan, many kids already think it is wrong and have no interest in whale meat, but when they grow up, they get sucked into the economics and business system and are too tired to make a stand.
The changes will be slow; but slow changes tend to be lasting.

Answer 6

It is very difficult to boycott Japanese products - we are both probably using a computer made in Japan. However, I think the Japanese behaviour is disgusting, I nearly cried when I heard it on the news this morning - watching their smug faces celebrating whilst their murdering ships prepared to set sail - thinking about all those poor whales swimming around,about to be murdered. The Far East in general have a disgraceful record for animal welfare - they are inheritently murdering b*stards.

Answer 7

I don't think I currently buy anything from Japan but I will look out for products and avoid them,
Save the Whale

Answer 8

lets all support greenpeace on this one...ill give you the link to the live webcam on board the ship Esperanza as it makes its way across the ocean to try and save these whales...the webcam will not pick up images in the dark..night time which is now...but soon as the sun comes up you can track it all day....the images are live and get uploaded every 30 seconds......

Answer 9

I like whales... Japanese are mean to them... free the whale

Answer 10

All civilised people hate whaling, my new car will NOT be Japanese.