Japan Defies World Court Order, Deploys 'Whale Killer' Ship for Alleged 'Scientific Research'
In a world-defying move, Japan has deployed its whale killing ships to the Antarctic Ocean to kill more than 300 minke whales, as part of its new research program called the NEWREP-A.
Before it was given a new name, the alleged scientific program was called JARPA II research program and aimed to study how whales can be further utilized in the commercial market. The International Court of Justice has already stopped the country's tracks last March, but Japan continues to defy the global law that protects whales from butchery.
According to CNN, senior fisheries negotiator at Japan's Fishery Agency, Hideki Moronuki, said, "Through capturing whales for investigation, Japan is collecting the scientific data and aiming for the resumption of commercial whaling. This official government view doesn't change."
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A good number of countries around the globe have expressed their doubts about Japan's true purpose for the expedition that was sent out on Tuesday. Australia and New Zealand have both called on Japan to stop its whaling activities.
The NEWREP-A mission seeks to kill a maximum of 333 minke whales living in the Antarctic Ocean, which sums up to nearly 4,000 whales over a 12-year period that the program aims to complete.
A conservation group called Sea Shepherd has also slammed Japan for its "scientific research" that the International Court of Justice apparently doesn't buy. The group's CEO, Captain Alex Cornelissen, said in a statement that all whales roaming the Southern seas are "protected by international law," warning Japan that "any violation of the sanctity of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary or the Australian Whale Sanctuary will be regarded as a criminal act."
Meanwhile, Japan maintains its cause and has sent out a fleet of four ships, including the research ship "Nisshin Maru," all headed for the Southern Ocean to start its whale killing mission for 2016.
It is worth noting that Japan is well known for its consumption of whale meat and the country is one that commonly offers the meat in many eateries and restaurants.
