*What Right Do We Have...

The fishermen of Taiji have been conducting drive hunts for close to 4oo years. Only a select few fishermen, about 25, are allowed to participate in the hunt every year. This is a very noble position, and they take it with honor. To them, this is not an animal rights issue, it's tradition. Who are we to deny them the right to carry on what has been passed down from generation to generation?

They want you to feel guilty.

They are trying to justify the killing of dolphins by saying that the hunt itself has a deeper meaning for their culture. This is a lie. Some 400 years ago, when the drive hunts first started, the fishermen only hunted for whales. They would utilize every part of the whale, both for food and for supplies. It became tradition to pass down the knowledge of whale hunting from generation to generation. The inclusion of dolphins has been a recent addition to the hunt and they are now the primary species that are targeted and killed every season.

Don't listen to their guilt trip about "culture". The methods of killing that are utilized are inhumane, and must be stopped. There is obviously something fishy going on (no pun intended) if they go to such great measures to hide what they are doing.

It's not about culture. It's not even about whose culture is right or wrong. It's about our responsibility as global citizens to see this atrocity and its negative effects and to know that something must be done to stop it.

*Violating the Constitution

The Japanese Constitution

Article 21:

"Freedom of assembly and association as well as speech, press, and all other forms of expression are guaranteed. No censorship shall be maintained, nor shall the secrecy of any means of communication be violated"

Taiji City Hall Meeting

Activists from SaveJapanDolphins.org attended this meeting, stating that they had come to Taiji to document the dolphin massacres and let the Japanese people know the facts about the hunt. This is the reaction they received:

"The Japanese people have no right to know about the dolphin slaughter. It is none of their business."

This is absolutely ludicrous. They have every right to know.

Many people, when first informed of the dolphin massacre, react by expressing disgust for the Japanese. "How can they do that?", and "They make me sick" are two of the most common responses. Many people become angry and suggest that we boycott the nation of Japan for their actions. However, the truth is, most people in Japan have no idea that this is taking place. It is one small town of 26 whalers and 13 boats in a hidden cove that are giving Japan this negative, worldwide reputation.

What we need to do is work with the Japanese people.

Bringing attention to the dolphin massacre is the best thing we can do to stop it. The people of Japan have a right to know what is going on. The Japanese news organizations must inform their people of this slaughter and the worldwide view of Japan that is happening as a result. It is one thing for foreigners to criticize this event, but it is entirely different when citizens speak out against the actions of their nation.

We must spark change from the inside.