On January 10, 2023, the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute sent the following letter to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida:
The Hon. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister January 10, 2023
2-3-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo, Japan100-8968
Request Letter for Ending Japan’s Dolphin and Whale Hunts
Dear Prime Minister Kishida:
We hope you are well and successfully navigating the many challenges you are facing as Prime Minister during these very uncertain times. We are writing to request your strong leadership for a policy change that would benefit Japan, the ocean environment, and also whales and dolphins.
The International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute urges you to take action to end whaling and dolphin slaughters. Several events illuminate the importance of making this a priority.
The tribunal for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) ruled that Japan was in nonconformance with that treaty for Japan’s research whaling of sei whales.
This followed the decision by the World Court in the Hague in 2014 that ruled against Japan’s scientific whaling program in the Antarctic.
Last but not least, Japan’s effort to end the moratorium on commercial whaling was overwhelmingly rejected by the International Whaling Commission.
Numerous organizations, international governments, and millions of individuals around the globe have expressed opposition to the killing of whales and dolphins. You are in a unique position to shepherd a policy shift that would enhance Japan’s international reputation and highlight Japan’s conservation ethic.
We should stress that we do not believe in a boycott of Japan.
On a world stage, the slaughter of innocent whales and dolphins, anathema to most of the world’s people and governments, continues to send a jarring note of Japan’s unwillingness to cooperate with world bodies like the World Court, CITES, and the International Whaling Commission. This need not be the case.
Country after country, some having longer “traditions” of whale and dolphin hunting than Japan, have ceased such activities. Climate scientists have also recently identified the significant contribution that whales provide to the environment by sequestering carbon and circulating ocean nutrients.
Japan is in the midst of another season of dolphin hunting in Taiji. Another season of commercial whaling in Japanese waters is pending next spring. Will Japan’s government take action now to end the hunting?
A gesture of international cooperation and goodwill by Japan towards whales and dolphins would have immense global value.
Now is the time for Japan to start phasing out dolphin hunting and to end whaling permanently.
Dear Supporters: We urge you to contribute to the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute work to end the killing of whales and dolphins around the world, including in Japan, Iceland, Norway and other countries. Your support can mean all the difference in the success of ending whaling and dolphin slaughters. Thank you!