'Research' can't hide self-interest

Once again I am amused at how Japanese work to conceal their self-interest in hunting whales in the Southern Ocean while claiming to engage in "scientific research." And it has been reported here that the official word from Tokyo is that Australia should be "calm." Meanwhile, the Japanese whaling ships, ready to bludgeon to death hundreds of krill-eating whales, steam forward, with Australia given permission by the Japanese government to observe as much of the scientific research as it wants.

That attitude, as with the conduct of whaling itself, has stained Japan's reputation. Japanese talk about their proud culture, yet set out to conduct themselves like barbarians that they wish to distinguish themselves from. The height of arrogance. And then to arrogate to Australia the right to watch!

I have lived in Japan and am familiar with the arrogance of bureaucrats shown through the courts, where they will do nothing but defend the status quo: One rule for Japanese, one rule for everybody else. Now, Japan is trying this policy on someone else and looks as if it may get its proverbial arse kicked. Japan can maintain its culture as something above question in Japan, but must expect a different response when it uses culture to try and export a policy to a country and a people who do not fall under that propaganda.

Japan's attitude toward whale hunting very much shows the mentality of a people who committed atrocities in World War II and will never face the wrongdoing wholeheartedly. They continue on with the same mind-set, only in a different form.

The people of Japan should be shamed by their country's "scientific" whaling and the pronouncements by members of their government in support of it. If the people of Japan call a halt to whaling and this venture into the Southern Ocean now, their estimation in the eyes of the world will rise.