Japanese “scientific whaling”, while it causes the deaths of up to 1000 endangered whales per year, has contributed nothing to the international scientific community. The meat from this “science” can be found anywhere from Japanese stores to public school lunches. International law forbids commercial whaling, but the Japanese “scientific whaling” loophole has been exploited for decades. At last, Japan has be brought to international court for its actions, but chances are that this will not be enough to stop their killing of endangered wildlife.

I recently stumbled upon evidence of the inhumane whaling practices of Japan. My brother, a steadfast animal rights activist, showed me a video that shocked and disgusted me. This video, part of the documentary, "Earthlings", shows dolphins and whales being brutally massacred with spears and machetes. It has forever changed my view of animal rights and the whaling debate.

WARNING. This video is EXTREMELY GRAPHIC.

http://youtu.be/-k9GJaV0Cis?t=1m37s

Unfortunately, the dolphins being killed in this video are not protected internationally. Only large, endangered whales are protected. Even so, the Japanese government kills an excess of whales. It kills too many for it to be science. It even kills too many for its people to eat. The lack of demand for whale meat in the Japanese economy has prompted the government to put it in public school lunches in order to keep warehouses of the meat from overfilling.

 Why are these whales being killed? The Japan Fisheries Agency, a historically pro-whaling organization, has inordinate power when it comes to the whaling debate. Other, more influential groups are excluded from whaling related issues. This creates a huge rift between actual public opinion on whaling and the government’s actions.

Furthermore, public opinion is constantly being manipulated by the Japanese government. JFA officials give pro-whaling talks in schools, the government produces pro-whaling children’s books, and in the city of Hakodate, the government has even started a whaling festival. Anti-whaling international sentiments are portrayed as illogical and anti-Japanese. Greenpeace Japan, an anti-whaling group, has been labelled a terrorist organization, further swaying the public to support the government. The Japanese people need a different view of the whaling debate.

Help me ask Caroline Kennedy, the United States ambassador to Japan, to advocate anti-whaling advertising in Japan. Our government can help to inform the Japanese people, and that is the best way to stop this pointless slaughter.