Of Whales and WikiLeaks: Activists clash with hunting boat as US, Japan talks revealed

Japanese and American officials discussed taking action to weaken Sea Shepherd, a prominent anti-whaling group, according to the documents released by WikiLeaks on Monday. The diplomatic cables, dated January 1, show Japanese officials repeatedly told US counterparts the group's actions were making whaling a political issue and hurting any chance of a compromise on the numbers of whales killed each year. Meanwhile, Sea Shepherd released a video purportedly showing Japanese whalers shooting water cannons at anti-whaling activists on Saturday.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is chasing the Japanese hunting fleet in the hopes of interrupting Japan's annual whale hunt, which kills up to 1,000 whales annually and typically lasts from December to February. Japan hunts whales under the research exemption to a 1986 worldwide ban on commercial hunts. Critics say there is no reason to kill the animals, and the research programme amounts to commercial whaling in disguise because surplus meat from the hunt is sold domestically.

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[Alecz156]

@Getdamoneyng0 I bet people in the middle east sing songs too... but that doesnt stop the americans from killing them :/

[bonsalakot]

that's the reason why japan had been hit by a tsunami they kill dolphins and whales which are nearly in the brink of extinction+watching porn is the reason. God hated japan for what they have done to mother nature.

[AntiSpeciesistWorld]

@bonsalakot I agree that killing dolphins & whales is wrong but the approach that "Japan deserved a tsunami cause some fishermen kill dolphins & whales" is racist because what country is innocent of their crimes in animal discrimination? the US kills many more pigs, chickens, cows, exc. than Japan kills dolphins & whales. I know where your coming from but think about it for a moment, no country is innocent of been speciesist, including Japan but including all the others too of course.

[Spr1ngHeelJack]

its so messed up. Japan, an advanced, thriving, well developed country, makes itself look idiotic by doing this. All they care about is another serving of scientific research for table 11.

[WC2002Truth]

I wish it was the other way.. whales hunting the Japs. Surely these beautiful sea creatures are much more valuable to the world than the Japanese people?

[Getdamoneyng0]

Respond to this video... thank you for the reply

[Getdamoneyng0]

@doogiedog1234 Yes sir!

[doogiedog1234]

They don;'t man.. thats just what hippies that have done to much acid tell people.... But theres some evidence to suggest they are self aware (can recognise themselves in mirrors ect. ) which means they are probably highly susceptible to suffering. which is why its an ethical issue.. The "songs" can be compared to a bat screech.. its just there way of communication

[doogiedog1234]

@AUSM92 Japanese people are much smarter and more advanced then indians.. the world expects them to understand it is immoral.. Its like if someone threw a puppy out a window.. If an adult (japan) did it people would call the cops.. if a 2 year old kid did it (indians)... people wouldn't do shit.

[TheHannah1601]

they take a lot from the sea, and the sea will take more from them. please Japanese be wise in taking sea resource, do not always think about ur stomach and tongues!

[TheHannah1601]

@mongolianchopssquad I agree with that! I commented in a tsunami video that let's be wise in taking the sea resource, but most who replied just dont know what it means. they are so naive and dont wanna take any lesson learned!