Japan Dolphin Day: Abolish the Slaughter

“I heard the sound of the dolphins crying as they were killed. I could not bear it. The value I now see in dolphins is not the value of their meat, but of the wonder they incite in us." 

– Mr. Izumi Ishii, former Japanese dolphin hunter turned whale watch tour guide.

An international day of protest has been organized to urge the Japanese authorities to ban the brutal slaughter of dolphins.

When: October 8th, 2005

Where: Worldwide, at a Japanese embassy or consulate office near you.

Why: Every year from September through April, fishermen in Japan hunt and kill about 20,000 dolphins and other whales in the most brutal way imaginable. This is the largest massacre of dolphins anywhere in the world. The fishermen say they kill the dolphins primarily as a form of "pest control." They say the dolphins eat too many fish, and that they are simply eradicating the competition. We need to let them know that these crimes against nature are unacceptable to the rest of the world. Help us send a powerful message to the Japanese dolphin hunters and their government: STOP THE DOLPHIN SLAUGHTER.

Goal: Our goal is to make this the biggest global protest against the dolphin slaughter in history.

Who Can Participate: Everyone! This event is not limited to animal protection organizations. NGOs, schools, music bands, various clubs, businesses and concerned citizens are encouraged to show up. Please contact your friends and neighbors, local schools, civic clubs and anyone else you can think of. Ask people to join us at noon on October 8th at a Japanese embassy or consulate office near you.

What You Can Do:
1. JOIN JAPAN DOLPHIN DAY, OCTOBER 8. Click here for a list of events and contacts. 

2. WRITE JAPANESE OFFICIALS TODAY. Let them know that the blood that continues to spill from the dolphins slaughtered in Japan stains our humanity and taints Japan’s international image. Demand a permanent end to the drive fisheries and the preservation of dolphins and whales as natural treasures. 

Contact:
Ryozo Kato
Ambassador Japan to the U.S.
2520 Mass. Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20008
202/238-6700 ph
202/328-2187 fax
jcc@embjapan.org

JICC
Embassy of Japan
101-104 Piccadilly
London W1J 7JT
info@jpembassy.org.uk

Minister of Fisheries
Mr. Yoshiyuki Kamei
1-2-1 Ksumigaseki 1 Chome
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
100-8907 JAPAN
Fax: 81-3-3502-8220
whaling-section@nm.maff.go.jp

3. For more information, including photos and video of the Taiji dolphin slaughter please visit: