Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO575
2008-03-04 22:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
REACTION TO RANCID BUTTER ATTACK ON JAPANESE
how-toVZCZCXRO5173 PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNH DE RUEHKO #0575 0642244 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 042244Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2239 INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2542 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 1073 RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 6466 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 8860 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 0134 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 7071 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000575
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G AND OES/OA - MHAYES AND JFIELD AND EAP/J
USDOC FOR NOAA/NMFS - US IWC COMMISSIONER AND MCCARTY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018
TAGS: SENV EFIS IWC KSCA JA
SUBJECT: REACTION TO RANCID BUTTER ATTACK ON JAPANESE
WHALING SHIP
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, Reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000575
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G AND OES/OA - MHAYES AND JFIELD AND EAP/J
USDOC FOR NOAA/NMFS - US IWC COMMISSIONER AND MCCARTY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018
TAGS: SENV EFIS IWC KSCA JA
SUBJECT: REACTION TO RANCID BUTTER ATTACK ON JAPANESE
WHALING SHIP
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, Reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) Summary: Japanese media reported widely on the
attacks by the U.S. NGO Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on
Japan's whaling fleet in waters near Antarctica on March 3.
The GOJ strongly condemned the attacks and called in the
Dutch and Australian Ambassadors to protest, according to
press reports. While the GOJ has not approached the Embassy
on the issue, most Japanese press reports noted the NGO is
based in the United States. End summary.
2. (U) All major Japanese news outlets reported attacks by
the U.S. NGO Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) on the
Japanese whaling factory ship "Nisshin Maru" on March 3.
According to the reports, members of the SSCS threw more than
100 packages containing butric acid (made from rancid butter)
from their vessel onto the deck of the "Nisshin Maru,"
injuring one crewmember and two Japan Coast Guard (JCG)
officials. The story featured prominently in NHK television
news March 4.
3. (U) The GOJ was swift to condemn the attacks with Chief
Cabinet Secretary Machimura calling the SSCS actions
"unforgivable" in his March 3 press conference. According to
the Tokyo Shimbun, MOFA Senior Vice Minister Onodera summoned
Dutch Ambassador Hamer and requested the Netherlands stop
SSCS obstruction of the Japanese whalers and punish the
activists involved in the incident (Note: the SSCS ship is
registered in the Netherlands). Hamer expressed regret for
the incident and stated he will pass Japan's request to his
capital, the newspaper added. MOFA Economic Bureau Director
General Otabe also called in Australian Ambassador McLean and
made similar requests, according to press reports. McLean
noted that Australian Foreign Minister made a statement
condemning violent actions on the high seas.
4. (U) Newspaper editorials condemned the attacks and
supported GOJ pursuit of legal action against the protesters.
The Tokyo Shimbun argued that anti-whaling nations overtly
support "obstructionists" and asked that those involved
"reflect on the issue seriously," in a March 4 editorial.
The Yomiuri added its voice in a March 4 front page column,
concluding that "outlaw gangs have no choice but being
legally and rigorously investigated and punished."
5. (C) While the GOJ has not approached Post regarding the
incident, the fact that the SSCS is incorporated and
headquartered in the U.S. featured prominently in most
Japanese reporting on the story. The term "U.S.
environmental group" was either in the headline or text of
articles by 5 of 7 newspapers Post surveyed, with only the
Mainichi and fisheries daily Suisan Keizai Shimbun neglecting
to mention the group's U.S. connection. In its on-air
reporting, NHK described the SSCS as a "U.S. environmental
conservation group" at the beginning of the narration and in
the on screen captions. The fact that the founder and leader
of the organization, Paul Watson, is Canadian was not
mentioned.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G AND OES/OA - MHAYES AND JFIELD AND EAP/J
USDOC FOR NOAA/NMFS - US IWC COMMISSIONER AND MCCARTY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018
TAGS: SENV EFIS IWC KSCA JA
SUBJECT: REACTION TO RANCID BUTTER ATTACK ON JAPANESE
WHALING SHIP
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, Reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) Summary: Japanese media reported widely on the
attacks by the U.S. NGO Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on
Japan's whaling fleet in waters near Antarctica on March 3.
The GOJ strongly condemned the attacks and called in the
Dutch and Australian Ambassadors to protest, according to
press reports. While the GOJ has not approached the Embassy
on the issue, most Japanese press reports noted the NGO is
based in the United States. End summary.
2. (U) All major Japanese news outlets reported attacks by
the U.S. NGO Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) on the
Japanese whaling factory ship "Nisshin Maru" on March 3.
According to the reports, members of the SSCS threw more than
100 packages containing butric acid (made from rancid butter)
from their vessel onto the deck of the "Nisshin Maru,"
injuring one crewmember and two Japan Coast Guard (JCG)
officials. The story featured prominently in NHK television
news March 4.
3. (U) The GOJ was swift to condemn the attacks with Chief
Cabinet Secretary Machimura calling the SSCS actions
"unforgivable" in his March 3 press conference. According to
the Tokyo Shimbun, MOFA Senior Vice Minister Onodera summoned
Dutch Ambassador Hamer and requested the Netherlands stop
SSCS obstruction of the Japanese whalers and punish the
activists involved in the incident (Note: the SSCS ship is
registered in the Netherlands). Hamer expressed regret for
the incident and stated he will pass Japan's request to his
capital, the newspaper added. MOFA Economic Bureau Director
General Otabe also called in Australian Ambassador McLean and
made similar requests, according to press reports. McLean
noted that Australian Foreign Minister made a statement
condemning violent actions on the high seas.
4. (U) Newspaper editorials condemned the attacks and
supported GOJ pursuit of legal action against the protesters.
The Tokyo Shimbun argued that anti-whaling nations overtly
support "obstructionists" and asked that those involved
"reflect on the issue seriously," in a March 4 editorial.
The Yomiuri added its voice in a March 4 front page column,
concluding that "outlaw gangs have no choice but being
legally and rigorously investigated and punished."
5. (C) While the GOJ has not approached Post regarding the
incident, the fact that the SSCS is incorporated and
headquartered in the U.S. featured prominently in most
Japanese reporting on the story. The term "U.S.
environmental group" was either in the headline or text of
articles by 5 of 7 newspapers Post surveyed, with only the
Mainichi and fisheries daily Suisan Keizai Shimbun neglecting
to mention the group's U.S. connection. In its on-air
reporting, NHK described the SSCS as a "U.S. environmental
conservation group" at the beginning of the narration and in
the on screen captions. The fact that the founder and leader
of the organization, Paul Watson, is Canadian was not
mentioned.
SCHIEFFER