WHALES AND THE JAPANESE
by
Masayuki Komatsu &
Shigeko Misaki
Published by the Institute of Cetacean
Research, April 2003
Price: 2000 yen
 A book titled “Whales and the JapaneseEwas published by the Institute of Cetacean Research. This lucid exposition on the relations of the Japanese people with whales was co-authored by Mr. Masayuki Komatsu, Director of Research and Environment Protection of the Fisheries Agency and also deputy IWC Commissioner, and Ms Shigeko Misaki, an adviser to the Japan Whaling Association.
What follows is an excerpt from the review of this book by Dr Ray Gambell, former Secretary of the International Whaling Commission:
“This book sets out the views and arguments, which Japan has been voicing for the past decade or more on the injustice it feels over the ban on commercial whaling (the moratorium), imposed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) since the 1986 seasonEhe main focus of the concerns expressed are the long tradition of hunting whales in Japanese coastal waters and the full utilisation of cetaceans by Japan, chiefly as food.
|
 There is a heavy emphasis on the fact that it was the western nations which caused the major depletion of the whale stocks in earlier years, and it is mainly these nations that are now preventing Japan from continuing its whaling activitiesE
EThere is an especially interesting section in the book on the historical background to Japanese whaling from pre-historic times, through the 17th century developments, and up to the present. The research work carried out by Japan on whales is explained, and the events and negative attitudes of many governments in the IWC to this research are set out. The final plea is one of respect for Japan’s whaling traditions and culture in the context of the wise and sustainable use of all the world’s natural resources. Ebr>
“Overall, this is a commendable effort to bring together a number of elements to justify the Japanese case for a resumption of commercial whaling.Ebr>
For purchase of this book please go to:
http://s1.amazon.co.uk/exec/varzea/ts/exchange-glance/Y01Y4496912Y2189430/026-4997443-0990057 |
