Weekly Media FAQ
February 1, 2008
Whaling Issue
Q: In what way is Japan's coast guard involved with Japan's whaling activities?
A: In order to give advice to the Japanese whaling fleet, officers of the Japanese coast guard have been on board the fleet. A horrendous act of violence committed by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society against the Japanese whaling fleet last year led the Government of Japan to anticipate that a similar kind of attack would take place again this year. The Government has considered it appropriate to have the officers accompany the vessel as security advisors.
There have also been reports that Japan would send a coast guard vessel to accompany the Japanese fleet, but these reports have been unfounded from the outset. There is and there never has been any plan to send a Japanese coast guard ship to the whaling area.
Q: Can you confirm that the Japanese whaling vessel has resumed capturing whales?
A: The Japan's multi-month whale research program is continuing until early spring, and the Japanese fleet is engaged in its planned activities.
Related Information (Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest)
Back to Index
