I am a 50-year-old accountant who does not belong to any political party or organization. I am just an average Australian, married with two teenage sons. My wife and I both have been to your beautiful and wonderful country, and we have hosted Japanese exchange students in our home for many years. We have always found Japanese people to be caring and honorable.
Japan has just sent whaling ships to the whale sanctuary in the waters of Antarctica to effectively slaughter 1,000-plus whales, including 50 humpbacks. These humpbacks visit Australia each year. They do not belong to any one country; they belong to the world.
Japan says the purpose of its whaling is not the slaughter of these magnificent animals but merely scientific research. Sadly, this claim is not true. No branch of science necessitates the killing of subjects first in order to study them. The meat from these animals is sold for both human and animal consumption. I believe a surplus of meat is kept in cold storage, as consumer demand lags the supply.
These actions are causing the wonderful nation of Japan to "lose face," both here in Australia and in other modern countries around the world. Many Australians would like our government to send warships to the whale sanctuary to prevent access by Japanese whaling ships. Personally I would support such action. What can be done so that Japanese citizens can regain their standing in the world?
Note that the widow of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin has given permission for the lead ship of a group of antiwhaling vessels to be named The Steve Irwin, as a show of support for the protection of these whales, which belong to the world.
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