(JP) Pity the whales, starving and beaching themselves

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http://www.asahi.com/english/national/K2002041400111.html

 

Pity the whales, starving and beaching themselves

 

By KATHLEEN MORIKAWA, Special to The Asahi Shimbun

 

When the International Whaling Commission meeting

opens April 25 in the former whaling port of

Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, one topic of

conversation may be a controversial new book on the

whaling issue.

 

The April 11 issue of Shukan Bunshun reports that

``Naze Kujira wa Zashosuru noka? Han-Hogei no Higeki''

(Why are whales beaching?-The Tragedy of Anti-Whaling,

published by Kawade Shobo Shinsha) argues that

overpopulation is causing an increasing number of

beached whales to turn up on Japanese shores.

 

The book is the work of Joji Morishita, an official of

the Fisheries Agency, who charges overprotection of

the species caused by the IWC anti-whaling policy is

leading to an imbalance in the marine ecosystem that

could cause a crisis.

 

He says the argument that whales are on the verge of

extinction is not true and Pacific Ocean off Tokyo Bay

is full of the species known in Japan as the makko

kujira (sperm whale).

 

Whales eat large amounts of mackerel, cuttlefish, cod

and sardines. In the last five years, Morishita claims

whale numbers have grown over tenfold and now they are

having more trouble finding food. He believes that is

why they are coming closer to shore and beaching.

Morishita says the phenomenon is being observed around

the world. If whales are allowed to increase in this

way, he predicts that in 20 to 30 years the mackerel

population in the Sanriku region of the Pacific Ocean

will be on the verge of depletion.

 

So why do the United States and Europe so strongly

condemn whaling? According to Shukan Bunshun, the book

argues the issue dates back to the Vietnam War era

when then President Richard Nixon was coming under

severe criticism from Greenpeace and other

non-governmental organizations for spraying defoliants

in Southeast Asia.

 

To deflect such criticism, Morishita contends the

president suddenly proposed the banning of commercial

whaling at the U.N. Conference on the Human

Environment in Stockholm in June, 1972. Morishita

claims secret documents exist describing the action as

a move to curb criticism of environmental destruction

during the Vietnam War. He says the move was used to

woo 4 million American voters who belonged to

Greenpeace and other wildlife protection

organizations.

 

Morishita's book also criticizes what he calls the

``Japan-bashing'' that goes on at International

Whaling Commission meetings. Two years ago, he says,

European newspapers and magazines charged Japan with

bribing developing countries to get their votes to

continue commercial whaling but he claims the

allegations were false.

 

Morishita counters the charges by alleging a Solomon

Islands delegate was called to a hotel room where an

Australian environment minister told him, ``Your

country will remain poor if you vote to approve

whaling.''

 

Shukan Bunshun says this kind of thing happens to

small countries that depend on larger countries for

trade and economic aid.

 

Morishita also accuses NGOs of making large blocks of

reservations at hotels in Caribbean island tourist

resorts and canceling them just before a cancellation

fee would be required as a form of intimidation of

Caribbean nations that depend on tourism for survival.

 

 

In contrast, Morishita says, Japan is campaigning for

the continuation of commercial whaling based on

scientific research. He claims Japan's marine

resources policy plan is comparable to the concept of

banking a sum of money, leaving the principle

untouched and living off the interest.

 

Shukan Bunshun notes support for Japan's arguments

grew at last year's meeting and the possibility of a

turnaround victory that would allow commercial whaling

to resume has arisen.

 

According to Shukan Bunshun, Morishita says the

anti-whaling countries are probably gathering

``Japan-bashing'' materials but Japan too has already

collected materials to counter their arguments.

 

Whether one agrees or disagrees with Morishita's

argument, it looks like his new book will provide

plenty of discussion topics for the visiting

delegates.

 

Shukan Bunshun also reports on the latest trends in

selecting an eternal resting spot. The article notes

funeral directors have been receiving more and more

inquiries from families who want to leave the remains

of their loved ones on a beautiful mountaintop.

 

Memorial Art Ohnoya, Inc., a funeral industry leader,

has done a survey showing 20 percent of respondents

literally want to be returned to nature after their

death. Scattering remains at sea has been common for

some time now but getting permission to leave remains

in the mountains is still very difficult in Japan.

 

The article reports four years ago a French

organization known as AFIF began offering services on

Mont Blanc. Remains are placed in small urns and staff

sprinkle the dust over Mont Blanc as they circle the

mountain in a helicopter. Family members can watch the

process from a nearby observation deck if they wish.

The service costs 180,000 yen.

 

With the cooperation of AFIF, the Memorial Art Ohnoya

began offering the option to Japanese customers on

March 25 and had about 30 inquiries within the first

three days. Many of the inquiries were advance

reservations made by still very much alive mountain

lovers.

 

The April 18 issue of Josei Seven reports on women who

are enjoying a prestigious Tokyo address for just 800

yen a month by signing up for one of the capital's

increasingly popular private rental mailbox services.

 

The company, MBE Japan Inc., maintains 3,000 ``B

Boxes'' and has 12 branch offices offering addresses.

The 800 yen medium-size box is 14 cm x 12 cm. Larger

boxes are slightly more expensive. Customers must

present identification to rent a box.

 

The company reports the Kioicho, Akasaka, Sunshine 60

and Nihonbashi addresses are most popular with

customers in their 20s, 60 percent of whom are women.

 

Josei Seven says some women want the privacy the mail

services offer. One woman said she wanted to do mail

order shopping without her husband knowing.

 

Others consider the boxes a form of insurance that

provides a way to avoid direct mail and other unwanted

correspondence at home.

 

Private mail service rules are more flexible than

those of post office mail boxes and more convenient

too. The company will even inform you when a takkyubin

delivery arrives and transfer it to your home for a

fee.(IHT/Asahi: April 14,2002)

 

(04/14)

 

 

 

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