Introduction

The challenge is to understand the Japanese position regarding whaling and work within those parameters to influence the decision makers.

The Cull this Year

In the 2008-2009 season the Japanese whaling fleet intends to kill 935 Minke whales and 50 endangered Fin whales.  The Fin whale is the second largest animal ever to live on earth.
This is a total of 985 whales and is four times the number taken last year.

The Approach

This project will send a message to the people of Japan that is not anti-Japanese and that will respect the Japanese culture.  The current approach of protests and petitions is not working and a different way needs to be found.

The project will understand the Japanese position and influence their decision through:

• Highlighting the love and spiritual connection we have to whales.
• Questioning the need for "scientific whaling".
• Highlighting the harm "scientific whaling" is having on the image of Japan as a creative and world-leading nation.  

Understand the Japanese Position

The key to the project is to understand, while not condoning the Japanese position. Following is the text of an email from a Japanese activist who has been working in the anti whaling field in Japan for 20 years.  It gives to gives an indication of the current thinking :

I'm working on whale conservation more than 20 years in Japan, and appreciate your concern about respect culture and not anti-Japanese.  Sometimes, hatred messages from overseas hurt our campaign than help.

Knowing your intention is not like that, I like to point out that many (most) Japanese feel it is unfair that Western people force Japanese not to eat something because they like them. They don't see whales are not same as cows and pigs (or sheep) as they are wild animal, don't see whale as mammal so not breed fast like most fishes.

Still many see it is not worth to eat whale as international society against.

So, I hope your voice are heard by some people in Japan. I copy this to my colleague in IFAW Australia, we are working hard to stop Japanese whaling as well.

How the message will get to the people of Japan

The project will involve Japanese both here and in Japan to get the message across.

Sister Cities Network

The initial contact will be through the 48 mayors of New Zealand towns and cities in the Sister Cities Network to their counterparts in 48 Sister Cities in Japan. A respectful message in Japanese to the mayors of the Japanese cities and requesting their partnership in stopping whaling.

Other options

As the message is developed it will be distributed through schools, universities, industry and social groups and over YouTube etc.

Project launch at Frank Kitts Park

The project was launched in Frank Kits Park on the 15th December 2007 and was addressed by

• Sir Geoffrey Palmer – the New Zealand rep on the International Whaling Commission
• Philippa Brakes - from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
• Naoko Funahashi - an activist in Japan via an audio link
• Simon Childerhouse -  Scientist, Marine Mammal Researcher and Conservationist
• Metiria Turei - MP for the Greens
• Don Richards – the convenor of the project 

How you can help

The project needs people who can:

• Assist in the general administration of the project
• Build networks to get the message disseminated to as many groups in Japan as possible.
• Grow the number of people involved in the project.

Where to from here

The project needs active support and time is of the essence.  This is your opportunity to make a difference.  Let us know if you can assist and in what capacity.

Contact details are: