Response from Shuya Nakatsuka First Secretary, Embassy of Japan

One of our supporters Emily Pompei recently, like many others around the world, decided to contact the Japanese Embassy to voice her concern over the Dolphin situation in Japan. Emily contacted us recently wanting to share the response she recieved from Shuya Nakatsuka the First Secretary, Embassy of Japan. Here is Emily's letter and Shuya Natkatsuka's rather surprising response, not the least was the following

"However, mercury in seafood, including dolphin meat, which is from natural sources, should not be confused with high level industrial mercury which caused the tragedy of Minamata disease in the 1950's. No medical problems have been reported in Japan due to mercury contained in dolphin meat. In addition, false labeling of food is illegal in Japan and the Japanese government will investigate any suspicious products."

AND


 "In Japan, like in Alaska, catches whales and dolphins have been viewed as blessings from the sea and, as such, have been celebrated in our national art. As you know, hundreds of belugas are being hunted in Alaska and we consider that dolphin fishing in Japan and that in the U.S. have reached their current form, merely reflecting the respective social, environmental and economic circumstances."

Here is Emily's original letter and Shuya Nakatsuka's response


Dear Mr Ambassador,

I am writing to you today to beg for the release of the dolphins being held in Taiji. I respect the fact that the Japanese people have every right to hunt and sell animals for both sustenance and for profit. I argue the fact however, that dolphins and other cetaceans are not a viable source for protein as their meat is quit toxic being loaded with heavy metals such as mercury. I also argue that these animals are not killed in a manner that can in any way, shape or form be construed as humane. It is not a quick death but can be quite long and drawn out. Dolphins are extremely intelligent and emotionally evolved beings. They are self-aware, which is a trait that only a mere handful of species on this Earth share, including humans and chimpanzees. They are well-aware of what is happening to them and to their families when they are killed. I am beseeching you, to please, intervene on their behalf. There are many alternatives to the money that is made from their sale into captivity and from the sale of their meat. One example is the dolphin tours where people can enjoy seeing them, in the wild, where God intended them to be, and is a proven and quite profitable business venture. Thank you for both your time and your consideration.

 Shuya Nakatsuka First Secretary, Embassy of Japan's response.

Dear Ms. Pompei,

Thank you for your recent letter regarding dolphin fishing in Japan. We do take note of your concern but also would ask you to try to understand that there are diverse cultures in the world, many of which have traditions very different to those found in the United States.

Unlike the U.S., Japan is a small country with limited land, but with a considerable number of people. A population of a little less than half of the U.S. lives in an area that is only 4% of that of the U.S. Furthermore, about 70% of the Japanese land is very steep forest and not suitable for agricultural development. Therefore, the Japanese people traditionally have had no other choice but to rely upon various food resources from ocean and that is why we developed a unique cuisine like sushi. Though not widespread, dolphins have been consumes as a local traditional food in some coastal areas, such as Tohoku, Izu and Wakayama.

The Japanese people have, for centuries, consumed many types of living marine resources but their harvest have been conducted sustainably and the dolphin fishery is no exception; it is carefully managed so as not to deplete the stock. In fact, all of the dolphin species harvested in Japan are internationally recognized as abundant. With regard to the mercury level contained in the dolphin meat, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare did issue an advisory calling for pregnant women to limit their consumption of certain seafood with a relatively high mercury content including some dolphin species. The US Food and Drug Administration issued similar warnings concerning certain fish species. However, mercury in seafood, including dolphin meat, which is from natural sources, should not be confused with high level industrial mercury which caused the tragedy of Minamata disease in the 1950's. No medical problems have been reported in Japan due to mercury contained in dolphin meat. In addition, false labeling of food is illegal in Japan and the Japanese government will investigate any suspicious products.

Although fishermen in Taiji have been trying to improve their killing method so as to give minimum suffering to the animals, we understand that many individuals can find it most unpleasant to watch video clips of dolphins being killed. However, in this day and age when most of us are greatly distanced from the source of our animal protein, witnessing the killing of cows, pigs and sheep in industrial slaughterhouses would be equally off-putting. Under these circumstances, we would have to commit to consuming animal products respectfully unless you are to give up consuming all animal products. In Japan, like in Alaska, catches whales and dolphins have been viewed as blessings from the sea and, as such, have been celebrated in our national art. As you know, hundreds of belugas are being hunted in Alaska and we consider that dolphin fishing in Japan and that in the U.S. have reached their current form, merely reflecting the respective social, environmental and economic circumstances.

We do hope that you take the opportunity to further expand your understanding of Japanese culture, which is very different from that of the United States.

Best Regard,
Shuya Nakatsuka First Secretary, Embassy of Japan

Mercury poisoning is a sensitive topic in Japan, where a disorder now called Minamata Disease was linked to a chemical company that dumped tons of mercury compounds on the southern island of Kyushu.