Remember that article I posted on the movie “The Cove?†It is a documentary about a practice in Japanese town, wherein fishermen annually catch dolphins. They then either sell the dolphins to aquariums and other similar establishments or slaughter them for meat. The documentary stars Ric O’Barry, erstwhile trainer of the TV series Flipper, which aired in the 1960s. Activists were quick to join O’Barry’s bandwagon, pushing the movie into the international limelight. As a result, the international community has created an outcry that no one can ignore.
The town of Taiji is an otherwise quiet town. Following the release of The Cove, however, its residents have experienced such intense scrutiny that it seems that they have no choice but to accept their “fame.†The international pressure on their tradition has reached such a point that the Taiji fisheries association has succumbed – even if only temporarily.
An unknown official of the organization has announced (anonymously, of course) that they will NOT be killing any of the dolphins in their first haul of the year. Instead, they will be picking out the best 50 of the lot and sell them to aquariums. The rest they will set free. He says, though, that they are still unsure as to what to do in the long term. On the one hand, the town’s residents “do not want any trouble.†On the other hand, they do not want to let go of tradition because of the pressure.
O’Barry and the rest of the people involved in the film are, naturally, elated at the news –even if it is not set in stone.
Posted September 10th, 2009 by Maki | Comment (1)
There is a new film that is already stirring up a lot of controversy. When films are released for the whole world to see and they target the culture of a nation, controversy is sure to come with it. This new film is dubbed “The Cove,†and it focuses on some practices of Japanese fishermen.
Based on what the film portrays, Japanese fishermen allegedly lure wild dolphins into a hidden secret cove in Japan. According to activists, these dolphins are then captured for sale to amusement parks and for food as well. The Cove is actually a documentary which follows the pursuits of a group of activists led by Ric O’Barry. He is in fact an ex-dolphin trainer and he used to be in the TV series Flipper.
The film is due to be released in the United States on Friday but, unsurprisingly, no release date has been announced for Japan. The Japanese government maintains its stance that they are not doing anything wrong and that have not been doing anything wrong. More so, they have also cited cultural differences as the reason behind the misunderstanding.
In spite of this official stand, critics and audiences have already given the film a lot of praise. In fact, it won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival. The goal of the activists is to shut down the cove for good and to save the dolphins.
I have not seen the movie myself, but I would like to. At least if I do, I can judge it for myself.
Posted July 31st, 2009 by Maki | Comments (2)
Japanese cuisine is known all over the world for being one of the best. While not everyone has a liking for their more exotic dishes, staples such as tempura and sushi are well loved most everywhere that I’ve been to. One particularly exotic meat that the Japanese really love is whale meat, and it is by far the most controversial as well.
Japanese fleets regularly foray into the deep waters to hunt whales for meat. It used to be that up to 5000 tonnes of meat were consumed in the country each year. Today, however, it is reported that there are still at least 3000 tonnes left in cold storage. It is but logical to say that the Japanese population is not consuming as much whale meat as it used to.
What could be the reason behind this? The Sunday Herald reports:
Despite falling market prices, and regular government efforts to “educate” the population by way of academic lectures, food festivals, and compulsory school lunches, whale meat remains a dish that few modern Japanese have eaten more than twice. Not because it is scarce, they just don’t like it.
Daiki Fukuda is owner of a traditional izakaya restaurant called Paddock, in the northern coastal prefecture of Ishikawa. His reasons for not serving whale meat are purely culinary. “It doesn’t taste good,” he says. 
“I think it’s very strange to go hunting for whales near the South Pole when we have other meat and fish that are much more delicious. I tried whale meat once at school when I was a kid, and I hated it. We all did.”
It is pretty clear at this point that hunting whales down for profit might not last long as a practice. If no one buys it, who will continue to spend money on harvesting whale meat?
Posted May 25th, 2009 by Maki | Comment (0)
Japan has so many things to offer her visitors and for those who are animal lovers, there is also something for you. The Asahiyama Zoo is located in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan. It is also the most popular zoo in all of the country. So why are people flocking to this zoo?
The animals of course! And the zoo has taken things one step further. According to Japan Now:
In the past, Japanese zoos focused on displaying only the animal’s figure. But Asahiyama Zoo started to design its facilities so that the animal’s habits and behavior can be seen as well.
The animals’ natural behaviors can be observed at a number of very innovative facilities. For example, at the penguin aquarium, there is an underwater tunnel where the swimming penguins look like they are flying in the air. You can also watch them eat underwater during the feeding sessions that feature scuba diving. The orangutan facility measures more than 10 meters high and is filled with rock-climbing walls, oversized hammocks, and ropes. This design provides a great setting for you to watch the tree-dwelling orangutans show off their skills.
Though this concept is not all that new – there are many zoos in other countries with a similar set up. In Japan, however, the Asahiyama Zoo has done it best. I was browsing their web site and I just couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement as I saw the pictures and descriptions. Here is my favorite.
I want to see how a polar bear swims!
Posted September 26th, 2008 by Maki | Comment (1)
Not that you will lack of things to do if you are in Japan but if you love the place so much and are running out of some fun ideas I suggest that you go on a Bear Watching Trip just outside Tokyo.
Bear watching trips are run in association with the Shinshu Bear Research Organisation. The guide, Oscar Huyens, is known for being first person in Japan to obtain a PHD from studying Asiatic black bears, hence ensuring that you not only get to catch a glimpse of the wonderful bers but that you willl also get an earful of knowledge.
The tour isn’t for lazy people since you will need to go to the town of Matsumoto and from there travel into the mountains by car before hiking on foot to go to the mountain lodge to stay overnight and hike back down the valley in the morning while being led by the tour guide. If the visitor doesn’t see a bear during the tour the person gets his money back.
Posted May 6th, 2007 by geisha | Comments Off
