Japan arrests anti-whaling activist, page 1

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Topic started on 12-3-2010 @ 07:59 AM by Dark Ghost

Japan set to arrest NZ anti-whaling activist

news.ninemsn.com.au

A New Zealand anti-whaling activist has been arrested in Japan after a harpoon ship he boarded in Antarctic waters last month docked in Tokyo, greeted by police and nationalist protesters.

Peter Bethune, of the militant Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS), was engaged in months of high-seas clashes with the Japanese whaling fleet but has been in custody since mid-February when he boarded the Shonan Maru II.

About 20 angry nationalist protesters with Rising Sun flags, watched over by riot police, lined the pier and shouted through megaphones: "Step forward Pete Bethune! Apologise to the Japanese people! We will tear you apart!"

The harpoon ship docked alongside a vessel of the Japan Coast Guard, whose officers served him with an arrest warrant for trespass on a ship, a charge that can carry up to three years' jail.

It is the latest chapter in a long-running battle between environmentalists and Japanese whalers, who hunt the ocean giants in the name of scientific research, a loophole to a moratorium on whaling.

[edit on 12/3/2010 by Dark Ghost]

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 07:59 AM by Dark Ghost

Is this the event that turns this whole debacle ugly? I have been saying for a while now that this whole Whaling Issue has the potential to destroy relations between Australia and Japan. It seems now that relations between New Zealand and Japan are being tested over this latest development.

What do other ATS members feel about this latest incident in the controversial "Japanese Whale Research" project?

[edit on 12/3/2010 by Dark Ghost]

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 08:09 AM by Retrovertigo

reply to post by Dark Ghost

Not sure this will "turn ugly" as you put it on a diplomatic level for either New Zealand or Australia...Neither government seems to give a toss about the issue apart from a bit of grandstanding by KRudd a while back which he seems to have gone soft on...I'm not entirely sure what take anyone within the NZ government has on all this...

Now, as far as the public of New Zealand & Australia are concerned, thats another story entirely...

What the Japanese are doing is resented to varying degrees by a majority of the public in both nations...

And particularly with those nationalistic imbeciles waving flags on the wharf when he disembarked the ship, this will inflame people against Japanese whaling no end...

Edit to add - Would I like to see it "turn nasty" ? Damn straight I would...IMO Australia should fully sever diplomatic ties with Japan unless this stops...

[edit on 12-3-2010 by Retrovertigo]

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 08:13 AM by Dark Ghost

The reason I feel it might turn ugly is that the New Zealander boarded the ship to arrest the captain of the ship on the grounds that the captain was guilty of attempted murder. In the process, the NZ man was arrested for trespassing onto a ship he did not own.

As TV helicopters buzzed overhead, the protesters - watched by riot police and plain-clothed officers with video cameras - also expressed their fury with Australia, which has threatened to take Japan to an international court unless it commits to ending its annual whale hunts.

Japan's Fisheries Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu told a press conference that the nation would maintain a "resolute stance" but said he did not see a diplomatic row brewing.

Bethune, 44, was the captain of the Sea Shepherds' high-tech powerboat that was sliced in two in a collision with the Shonan Maru II in January.

He climbed aboard the Japanese ship before dawn on February 15 from a jet ski with the stated intention of making a citizen's arrest of captain Hiroyuki Komiya for what he said was the attempted murder of his six crew.

Bethune also presented the Japanese whalers with a three-million-dollar bill for the futuristic carbon-and-kevlar trimaran Ady Gil, which sank in the icy waters a day after the collision on January 6.

Instead, the Japanese whalers took Bethune into custody and sailed for Japan. They reported he was in good health and being treated well, unrestrained but under watch in a private cabin with three meals a day.

The SSCS, which has called Bethune the first New Zealander taken as a "prisoner of war" to Japan since World War II, said on its website it was preparing legal representation for the skipper.

(Taken from article linked in the OP.)

[edit on 12/3/2010 by Dark Ghost]

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 08:26 AM by Retrovertigo

reply to post by Dark Ghost

Absolutely DG, that ships captain should be tried on multiple counts of attempted murder...And arresting Bethune was one of the lamest things I've ever seen in my life...

As I said mate, personally I hope NZ & Aus go postal on Japan, so I hope you're right & it does turn ugly both as far as the public is concerned and on an official leve

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 08:31 AM by Snarf

reply to post by Dark Ghost

What do other ATS members feel about this latest incident in the controversial "Japanese Whale Research" project?

I Think Japan has the right to do what they want to do.

International law nothing.

It's international law that waterboarding is torture, and the USA got away with it.

If Japan *HAS TO* stop killing whales for food, then the USA *HAS TO* stop fishing for Tuna & Crabs.

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 09:04 AM by Nightaudit

I think this should go ugly and Japan should finally feel consequences. I should say those japanese fishers should feel the consequences, as I am sure not all Japanese are in favour of this slaughtering.

I am really sick of it. Does anybody actually have some numbers? I mean how many whales there still are, how many the Japanese fish per year?

I mean there is a slight possibility that this thing is portrayed kind of one sided in western media, and that the Japanese are not over fishing the whales.

But all that I have heard points to the contrary I have to say.

Anyway, did anybody allready do the research?

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 10:01 AM by Maxmars

Originally posted by Nightaudit

.... as I am sure not all Japanese are in favour of this slaughtering.

I was wondering about this myself.

It always seemed to me that if the Japanese people were protecting a traditional food source, or had some other cultural drive to pursue this kind of hunting, it would be understandable that they would be at best unmoved by the international outcries for it to stop.

So I went looking to see if in fact, they as a nation were for or against whaling.

The first article I found was published in Pravda (the infamous Russian news agency that was once mostly a propaganda tool when the Soviets ran it.) But it was from 1996 based on a Japanese research organization. Pravda had lifted the story from the wire (AP) having done no real investigation. From the title you can see it flatly states that ....

Majority of Japanese against whaling, survey says

Sixty-nine percent of respondents to the whaling survey, conducted by the Nippon Research Center, said they oppose whaling in high seas.

About 25 percent of respondents think whaling should be banned in both the high seas and Japanese territorial waters, the survey revealed.

But when asked about the international ban on commercial whaling, 35 percent said they were in favor of lifting it while 26 percent were opposed. The remaining 39 percent said they were neither for nor against lifting the ban.

The survey also said 60 percent of respondents agreed that whaling was a traditional aspect of Japanese culture, although about one in five said they had never eaten whale meat, the AP reports.

Majority of Japanese against whaling, survey says

I was unable to locate the research cited in the diminutive article.

I was, however, able to find a more current research piece published in 2009. While this piece was aimed at the opinions of high school and university-aged students, it nevertheless seems significant, especially since the conclusion greatly contradict the above research.

Whailing and its controversies: Examining the attitudes of Japan's Youth

I will link the conclusion here, since the article itself is heavy on statistical methodologies and other technical points, but it may be worth a read if you're genuinely interested in Japan's future and how it related to whaling as an industry.

Whaling and its controversies: Examining the attitudes of Japan's youth

(Conclusion excerpted from publication - PS "GOJ" = Government of Japan)

This study supports the widely documented theory that the discourse over whaling stems from cultural differences in how whales are viewed rather than disagreements over the management detail of whale harvesting regimes. Furthermore, the results present new evidence that the continued pro-whaling rhetoric produced by the GOJ and associated media is having an impact on the approval of whaling amongst the participating Japanese students.

Ironically, it is the GOJ that frequently accuses anti-whaling advocates of being “too emotional” and therefore unable to make objective and “rational” decisions, especially within the IWC. However, the very crux of the whaling dispute could well be emotionally based; pride of the Japanese people in their whale-eating culture and an expression of patriotism. A link has already been observed between the memories of gyoshoku bunka from post World War II generations and the strong pro-whaling stance of these older generations. In a similar fashion, it is possible that younger generations with residual anti anti-whaling sentiment could well go on to become the next generation of pro-whaling advocates in Japan. The GOJ has a long-term plan for the continuation of whaling, having spent around 900 million yen (approximately 5.7 million Euro) yearly since 1988 on subsidizing scientific whaling programs [46]. Pro-whaling interests will rely on their own people to re-ignite the popularity of a whalemeat eating culture. If this occurs, Tokyo will be standing on firmer ground to push the cultural case for whalemeat eating.

I think it's safe to say that the commercial viability and profitability will drive public opinion efforts to solidify the opinion, in Japan, that Whale meat eating is an expression of their culture, and thus will protect itself from internal resistance. I fear this is not going away, the marketing savvy of the Government and Industry are behind the perpetuation of the practice.

Of course, there is the distinction of whaling in Japan's territorial waters as opposed to international waters... there may be some wiggle room there. Ultimately, as Japan's local whales finally are driven out (or to local extinction) the entire conflict will become more pronounced.

Thanks for reading!

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 10:07 AM by Retrovertigo

reply to post by Maxmars

Lots of interesting info in there...

Nice post Max

As you say, either way, this rests with the youth of Japan...They may well grow older and keep their apparent anti whaling sentiments or as they grow older they may take on the views of their elders...

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 10:14 AM by Zerbst

Originally posted by Snarf
reply to post by Dark Ghost

What do other ATS members feel about this latest incident in the controversial "Japanese Whale Research" project?

I Think Japan has the right to do what they want to do.

International law nothing.

It's international law that waterboarding is torture, and the USA got away with it.

If Japan *HAS TO* stop killing whales for food, then the USA *HAS TO* stop fishing for Tuna & Crabs.

Whales are mammals, not fish or crustaceans. In fact they may be the most intelligent mammal on Earth? Their intelligence is evident in how peaceful they interact with all others, unlike people such as you. Whales are extremely family oriented, so when a whaler takes a mother from her calf, that calf will surely die a painful death as well. It's a horrible sadistic practice that should and will be stopped!

This is not a matter of law, it's plain decency. I pity people like you and these whalers. You for having to live everyday in a fog of ignorance and shame without ever knowing it. Them for practicing such a barbaric atrocity against one of Earths most precious cohabitants. You are both equal examples of what a shameful failure man is on Earth. The only creature here with the means and the will to terrorize and destroy all that's good on this planet! Doing a fine job at that.

Despicable.

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 10:29 AM by dreamspark

Whale hunting is disgusting, but also remember:

US killed more human beings each year.

Norway killed nearly equal amount of whales (more than 1000) each year.

Canada killed far more seals (300000) each year.

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 04:55 PM by Snarf

reply to post by Zerbst

that was hands down one of the most mind boggling responses i've ever read. You go straight for the personal attack, contributing nothing of any real value to this conversation. Pathetic.

A whale is a mammal. No kidding?

They're intelligent?
Well, i wouldn't say INTELLIGENT, especially compared to the possibility for intelligence from Human beings.

A whale can do tricks. They interact with other animals...blah blah blah, so does my dog.

That doesn't mean anything.

They're not human beings.

They are food. Just like Chickens & Cows. But because there are some bleedy heart idiot liberal minded people in the world that have googly eyes for dolphins & whales, it's illegal to kill them.

Its a double standard

THAT is despicable.

[edit on 12-3-2010 by Snarf]

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 05:15 PM by mapsurfer_

If I am not mistaken, the NZ man was trying to serve a warrant for attempted murder over the ramming of the Ady Gil which threatened the lives of the crew aboard that vessel. I think there may have been some reading this post who thinking that the "murder" was the whale fishing.

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 05:52 PM by vox2442

Originally posted by mapsurfer_
If I am not mistaken, the NZ man was trying to serve a warrant for attempted murder over the ramming of the Ady Gil which threatened the lives of the crew aboard that vessel. I think there may have been some reading this post who thinking that the "murder" was the whale fishing.

You are mistaken.

To serve a warrant, one must first be issued.

After breaking in, he handed over a bill for $3M, attempted a citizen's arrest for the Ady Gil collision, and demanded that he be taken to Australia or NZ, and stated that he refused to be transferred to any other vessel, including SS or Australian/NZ coast guard.

In other words: it was a publicity stunt. He'll get charged with trespassing, and be deported.

Myself, I'd charge him with extortion (given that there are procedures in place for the insurance companies to pay the cost of the Ady Gil), attempted hijacking (breaking in and demanding that he be brought to Australia or NZ), AND charge him for room and board.

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 06:06 PM by adifferentbreed

I hope they (the Japanese) review the case and charge him with piracy and hijacking and throw his butt in jail. As bad as the whaling situatuion is, breaking the law and expecting to be lauded as a hero is stupid as well as delusional.

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 06:12 PM by Maxmars

Originally posted by vox2442

....

In other words: it was a publicity stunt. He'll get charged with trespassing, and be deported.

Myself, I'd charge him with extortion (given that there are procedures in place for the insurance companies to pay the cost of the Ady Gil), attempted hijacking (breaking in and demanding that he be brought to Australia or NZ), AND charge him for room and board.

If, as you suggest, this is a media production (and I wouldn't be inclined to argue otherwise - knowing the media as I do) the price of room and board would be trivial.

The extortion charge would be a ballsy move, and I don't think the political folks are up to the challenge of making it stick, especially since it would be very likely that this is at least, in part, their show too. As a matter of fact, having thought about it and the possibility that they are doing this as part of their 'our culture is in peril' motif, it probably is as much their show as it is the 'celebrity' activists involved.

[edit on 12-3-2010 by Maxmars]

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 06:16 PM by Snappahead

reply to post by vox2442

I think you may be projecting a level of leniency into the Japanese justice system that doesn't exist. I agree with you up until him being deported. I think they will throw him in jail for a very long time to make an example of him. I am pretty certain the death penalty in Japan doesn't cover acts of piracy, but I wouldn't put it past the prosecutors asking for it if it was available.

I'm sure time in any prison is bad, but Japanese prisons have a very tough reputation - not where you want to spend a few years. It's what this criminal deserves.

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 06:26 PM by vox2442

Originally posted by Maxmars

If, as you suggest, this is a media production (and I wouldn't be inclined to argue otherwise - knowing the media as I do) the price of room and board would be trivial.

The extortion charge would be a ballsy move, and I don't think the political folks are up to the challenge of making it stick, especially since it would be very likely that this is at least, in part, their show too. As a matter of fact, having thought about it and the possibility that they are doing this as part of their 'our culture is in peril' motif, it probably is as much their show as it is the 'celebrity' activists involved.

[edit on 12-3-2010 by Maxmars]

I don't think they'll try to charge him with anything more than trespassing - I said that's what I'd do.

I caught a news bit last night, and they said prosecutors are reviewing video to see if he was involved in any of the laser beam attacks (they started using a high powered green laser this year), and that could bring an assault charge.

I don't know where you get the "our culture is in peril" thing. I certainly don't get that, and I live in Japan, watch the Japanese news and read Japanese newspapers. The only time I tend to hear that attitude is when I read comments from anti-whalers talking about why the Japanese do it - that argument appears far more often in that context than in reality. Oh, and one more thing: you say: "they are doing this" - as though the Japanese officials have much of a choice. He boarded the ship, and refused to leave. What else could be done?

You might not like what I'm saying, but remember: standing outside and throwing rocks at my house for a week then breaking in to demand I drive you home is illegal, even if I did run over your bicycle. Just so you know.

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 06:32 PM by Zerbst

reply to post by Snarf

You simply have no soul.

Good luck.

reply posted on 12-3-2010 @ 06:35 PM by vox2442

Originally posted by Snappahead

I think you may be projecting a level of leniency into the Japanese justice system that doesn't exist. I agree with you up until him being deported. I think they will throw him in jail for a very long time to make an example of him. I am pretty certain the death penalty in Japan doesn't cover acts of piracy, but I wouldn't put it past the prosecutors asking for it if it was available.

I'm sure time in any prison is bad, but Japanese prisons have a very tough reputation - not where you want to spend a few years. It's what this criminal deserves.

I know all about the Japanese legal system, thanks.

He can be held without charge and without access to a lawyer for a few weeks. That's the law. He can, throughout that, be presented with confessions to sign. this is also the law. A judge can extend this period of time up to 60 days, upon request by the prosecution. This is also the law. These conditions are NOT the law in Australia, and as such will be used by SS to show some kind of negative treatment.

Furthermore, the initial charge does not have to be the only charge. Right now, it's trespassing. It could be more. It might not be.

There will be no death penalty for this, because no one died. They MAY put him in prison for a short time, if he refuses to pay the fine. The fine for trespassing is 100,000 yen. About $1,000 USD.

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