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Prime Minister of Japan
Mr. Yasuo Fukuda
1-6-1 Nagata-cho 1 Chome
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968 JAPAN
Dear Prime Minister Fukuda,
I am outraged by the annual brutal slaughter of dolphins and whales that
takes place in Japan. The images of bloody red water clearly show the
world that Japan has little respect for the state of the world’s oceans
and for the conservation of the marine resources it claims to support.
Many scientific studies show that the oceans are in decline. We must
take whatever actions are necessary to stop their over-exploitation and
to protect the creatures that live in them. These dolphins do not belong
to Japan. The status of the species of dolphins and whales that you kill
are either endangered, threatened, or unknown. It is an unthinkable
waste that they will likely end up as a meat product or deceptively sold
as whale meat, polluted with toxic levels of mercury and cadmium,
killing people that eat it. It is tragic and unacceptable that the
remaining dolphins that are not killed will end up destined for death in
an aquarium, water park, or "swim with dolphins" program.
In addition, the methods used to kill these animals are cruel.
Corralling the dolphins into bays, then making them suffer a long and
painful death by spears, hooks, and drowning is an inhumane way of
fishing. This action is disgraceful and has caused much disappointment
in the international community.
We demand that Japan permanently and immediately renounce and stop this
slaughter. We will work diligently to bring this issue to international
light until you have ceased your reprehensible violence.
Sincerely,
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