| World Vegan News | February 9 2008 |
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Despite Greenpeace protests and mass media coverage of Japanese whaling, Japan vows to continue killing whales for "scientific research".
As lead singer for rock band Midnight Oil and President of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, was a powerful advocate for the environment. Now he is playing politics with the Japanese. Australia would have been well within its rights to send its Navy to chase the Japanese Whaling Fleet out of Australian territorial waters. But all they did was talk. We know that diplomatic talk over many years has not been effective.
An article on ABC Australia News on Friday February 8 stated, "The Asahi Shimbun (survey in Japan) said 65 per cent of Japanese support continuing the whaling programme and that 56 per cent of people backed eating whale meat". So it is clear that the Japanese people in general are supportive of whaling. (We have Vegan members in Japan who obviously would not support whaling).
There can be two major reasons why Japan hunts and kills whales, for "scientific research" or for profit. Anti-whaling nations have disputed the legitimacy of Japanese claims that they are conducting scientific research. So if that is not the reason, then we can assume that Japanese whale hunting is purely for profit.
We, the Vegan Movement, Animal Rights Movement and the Environment Movement, have great power that will stop the Japanese whaling, and that is the power to withdraw our support for Japanese products and services, including tourism.
In the modern Global Economy, we can have a very effective impact on Japanese trade and economy.
We urge you to stop buying Japanese goods and services and let your Japanese Embassy know that you will continue until the Japanese stop whaling. Tell your Vegan, Animal Rights and Environment groups to ask their members to boycott Japanese goods and services. Tell your family and friends! Put it on your Blogs, MySpace and websites as well!
This action is consistent with Ahimsa, or "Dynamic Harmlessness". As Mahatma Gandhi demonstrated many times, Ahimsa can be used as a powerful force for good.
References:
Japan to complain over whaling pictures - February 8 2008.
Two-thirds of Japanese back whaling: poll - February 8 2008
Whale kill film will strengthen legal case: Govt - February 7 2008
Japan may invite Aust to G8 summit: reports - February 5 2008
Japan resumes whale kill - February 1 2008
Govt whaling monitors useless: Sea Shepherd - January 29 2008.
Japan To Offer Free Whaling Lessons - March 6 2008.
Armed guards will protect whalers: Japan - March 8 2008.
