Hi everybody! Sorry for not keeping up with my blog this week, I've been a little caught up with the U.S. Presidential election. Nevertheless, I am very happy to bring you some pretty terrific news regarding the GreenPeace Whaling petition all of you signed WORLDWIDE! I received the following email from GreenPeace updating me on the delivery of this email and Japan's reaction!Dear [my real name]:
We've delivered our whaling petition to the Japanese authorities. Fifteen-year-old anti-whaling campaigner Skye Bortoli from Port Stephens presented the 131,965 strong petition to the Japanese authorities in Tokyo. Immediately afterwards, the opposition Japanese Democratic Party (DPJ) called a committee meeting on whaling. That was quick!
Indeed, the Japanese accepting the petition was a victory in itself - past international efforts have been totally rejected. The committee's chair, Mr. Tsutsui said, "Our stance is not the same as yours but we are willing to consider the issue seriously." And, in a major concession, they admitted the market for whale meat was not viable and that Japan's international reputation was at stake.
Read more about Japan's reaction to our petition here!
While the political ground appears to be shifting, the fact is that the Japanese people do not support whaling. Earlier this month, we commissioned a special independently conducted poll which found that 71 per cent do not support their country whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. And astonishingly, 87 per cent were surprised to learn that their tax money was actually being used to help pay for the outrageous whaling operation.
While the political ground appears to be shifting, the fact is that the Japanese people do not support whaling. Earlier this month, we commissioned a special independently conducted poll which found that 71 per cent do not support their country whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. And astonishingly, 87 per cent were surprised to learn that their tax money was actually being used to help pay for the outrageous whaling operation.
The focus of Greenpeace's campaign is now exposing the Japanese people to the facts on whaling - so they can exert political pressure on their leaders, who won't like to be out of step with public opinion for long. Our petition, developed together with the Daily Telegraph and the Today Show has helped build the momentum for change. Watch a video wrap of our recent anti-whaling work in the Southern Ocean.
Once again, thanks for signing; together we are making a difference. Our campaign continues and we'll keep in touch about further ways for you to be involved.
Rob Nicoll, Whales campaigner
Greenpeace Australia Pacific
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