Greenpeace gives Valentines message to Japan

Greenpeace gives global Valentines message to Japanese

14 February 2007--Greenpeace activists today handed out Valentines day cards and flowers to Japanese tourists arriving in the country in Christchurch and Auckland, and flowers to the Japanese Embassy in Wellington, with the message: "We love Japan – but whaling breaks our hearts."

The tourists received a red rose, a note welcoming them to New Zealand, and whale watching vouchers. The Japanese Ambassador's flowers were a bouquet in the shape of a Japanese flag. However, the Japanese Embassy refused to take the flowers.

"The Japanese Government has spent years trying to convince the people of Japan that if you're anti-whaling, then you're anti-Japan. This simply is not the case and what better day than Valentines day to get this message to both the Japanese people - and their Government," said Jo McVeagh, Greenpeace whales campaigner. "That the Embassy refused to take our flowers is perhaps because they don't like the fact that we are challenging their propaganda."

Elsewhere, flowers, hearts, chocolates, kisses and romantic gondola trips will be delivered by Greenpeace activists to embassies and Japanese tourists in Argentina, Australia, Denmark, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Fiji, Greece, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Paraguay, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Spain, Thailand, Uruguay and the USA.

A fax is being sent to the Nisshin Maru - the factory ship of the whaling fleet, which read:

"We Love Japan, but Whaling Breaks Our Hearts! 69 % of your fellow Japanese do not support what you are doing in the Sanctuary and there is virtually no market for what you are producing. The "research" you have been ordered to carry out is not wanted by scientists and the meat is not wanted by the Japanese people. On this Valentine's Day, a day for spreading love we ask once again that you leave the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and return to port."

These activities are taking place as the Japanese Government hosts a meeting of pro-whaling countries continues in Tokyo, in an attempt to "normalise" whaling. The meeting continues until tomorrow, when it is expected that the Japanese government will use the occasion to claim there is support for a resumption of commercial whaling.

Almost without exception pro-conservation members of the Commission have agreed not to attend.

"Whaling does not belong in the 21st century and the only way forward for the IWC is to start working for the whales and not the whalers," added Jo McVeagh.

She noted that the campaign would not be won purely through activities in the Southern Oceans.

"The way to win this campaign is to win it in Japan. Through their whale love website, Greenpeace Japan is now successfully sparking a public debate on whaling which is not driven by Government propaganda." http://whalelove.jp

ENDS