Japan will recall whaling fleet.

Japan will cut short this year’s annual whale hunt in the Antarctic Ocean after obstruction by an environmental group (Sea Shepherd) largely prevented its ships from killing whales, the government said on Friday.

English article tends to support Sea Shepherd’s side, so I introduce how Japanese government is thinking about this matter by translating Japanese article into English. According to the articles of MSN Japan, the hidden reason why Japan decided to recall is to deal a blow to the finance of Sea Shepherd which has been gathered huge donation by making use of Japanese whale or dolphin hunting. Sea Shepherd has taken the video of obstructive activity against Japanese ship and has broadcasted the TV show focusing on one-sided opinion of Sea Shepherd to gather money by increasing their supporters. Sea Shepherd has made Japan as antagonist one-sidedly and has made drama on purpose. The opinion that we should not let Sea Shepherd record more video for their promotion has risen within Japanese government, Japanese government decided to recall. It is expected that Sea Shepherd will suffer from serious economic blow because they cannot record more videos of obstructive activities and their TV show is expected to be shrunk abruptly.

Yutaka Banno, the vice minister of foreign affairs of Japan, said, "The activities of Sea Shepherd is dangerous illegal activity threatening crew's lives and property and the safety of the navigation of ships. Japanese ships are researching about whales legally and we cannot forgive their illegal activities." He also criticized flag states of Sea Shepherd, Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand as they are supporting of illegal activity of Sea Shepherd.

Sea Shepherd gathered 9.4million dollars by flashy promotion on the TV show in 2009, and is buying equipment and threatening lives of crew of Japanese ship.

Kazuya Usui

MSN Japan
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/news/110218/asi11021821020005-n1.htm
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/news/110218/plc11021818010016-n1.htm
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/news/110218/biz11021812590015-n2.htm
International Herald Tribune
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/18/world/asia/18japan.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=sea%20shepherd&st=cse