REACTION TO RANCID BUTTER ATTACK ON JAPANESE

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