Japan postpones humpback whale hunt - Guardian UK

Japan today agreed to abandon plans to slaughter endangered humpback whales for the next one to two years amid calls from Australia to spare the species during a research hunt in the Antarctic.

Nobutaka Machimura, Japan's top government spokesman, confirmed that the Japanese fleet, now en route to the southern ocean whale sanctuary, would avoid killing humpbacks, a protected species since 1966.

"Japan has decided not to catch humpback whales for one year or two, but there will be no change in our stance on research whaling," he told reporters. "Japan's relations with Australia could improve, but it depends on how it will see our decision."

Japan's original intention to kill 50 humpbacks, considered the most majestic and athletic of all whales, drew a furious response from Australia, where an estimated 1.5 million tourists take part in whale-watching trips every year.

full article
http://www.guardian.co.uk/japan/story/0,,2231050,00.html

(Score one for the whale!)

Peace.

First, the humpbacks should be safe...for now.

Second, the Aussies got to them. They honestly got to the Japanese.

I'm hoping they still plan to send the Ocean Viking out to supervise and document the hunt.

Sadly, the Esperanza (Greenpeace) is embarking without a chopper. The whaling fleet may be tougher to find this year. I just hope Sea Shepherd finds them soon.

The Japanese had to lose face, which is a big deal with them. Yey for Australia.

"The Institute of Cetacean Research, a body that has been conducting scientific whaling on behalf of the government, in February 2003 opened “Yushin,” a whale meat shop and restaurant in downtown Asakusa in Tokyo."

Kinda obvious, no?

They really have to stretch their lies.