By Celsias
Posted on Oct. 6, 2011. Listed in:
Japan has confirmed that it will resume whaling in the Southern Ocean next month. And it is planning military security to go with it so that it can deal with opposition protest boats .
Sea Shepherd has promised to launch “Operation Divine Wind” against them. It is a reference to the Japanese word kamikaze, the name given to hundreds of World War Two suicide pilots, sailors and soldiers who attacked Allied forces in the Pacific. They were named after a "divine wind" that destroyed a Mongolian fleet attacking Japan in the 13th century.
In a statement Japanese Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano said extra ships would escort the fleet.
Last year Japan ended its whaling because of continued Sea Shepherd action. Japan target the taking of 1000 whales each year for what it pretends is scientific research.
Fisheries Minister Kano denied that the costs of Japan's earthquake and tsunami disaster had created economic pressures to end whaling which is struggling with its economic viability. “Japan will conduct the research whaling while strengthening measures against acts of sabotage, including dispatching Fisheries Agency escort ships,” he said. Reuters said the whaling ships would leave Japan next month. “There is a premise that Japan aims to restart commercial whaling in the future and the nation needs to continue research whaling to achieve that,” Kano said. “'We intend to carry out the research after enhancing measures to assure that it is not obstructed.”
In Australia Kevin Rudd was angry at the decision to resume whaling has angered Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, according to The Melbourne Age reported. He said it was particularly disappointed the whaling would occur in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary established by the International Whaling Commission. “'There is widespread concern in the international community at Japan's whaling program and widespread calls for it to cease,” Rudd said.
Attorney-General Robert McClelland said Australia's decision to take legal action against Japan in May 2010 in the International Court of Justice was not taken lightly. “'Australia believes Japan's whaling is contrary to international law and should stop,” he said.
In New Zealand Murray McCully did -nothing !
The contrast in action between New Zealand and Australia was actually very pronounced. It seems that Minister McCully can only focus on one thing at a time and nothing like restarting the completely unnecessary slaughter of whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary should be allowed to get in the way of the quarter finals .
Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson was much more straight forward and did not mince words “Are the Japanese people ready to take human lives in defence of this horrifically cruel and illegal slaughter of endangered and protected species of whales? “Do we have to die to appease Japanese honour? “If so, my answer to the Japanese government is 'hoka hey' (it's a good day to die), and we will undertake whatever risks to our lives will be required to stop this invasion of arrogant greed into what is an established sanctuary for the whales.”
Sea Shepherd will have three ships in the region and Watson has called on Australia and New Zealand to send navy ships to monitor action. The Labour Party has also suggested that the NZ navy get involved to ensure there is no danger to people, but the Government really doesn't want to know about it .
