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Japan: public opposition to whaling increases
Posted by jossc on 18 February 2008.
A new poll released today shows that the number of Japanese who don't support whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is growing - the 69 per cent figure is a slight increase on the number found by a similar poll last year. Perhaps surprisingly, the Greenpeace commissioned poll showed that 87 per cent were unaware that their tax money was being used to subsidise the whaling operation - to the tune of 500 million yen (about £2.4 million) each year.
The poll's findings present a stark contrast to the the myth promoted by the Fisheries Agency of Japan that, by killing whales in the Southern Ocean, it is acting in defence of Japanese culture and with the support of its people. In truth most Japanese people have little knowledge of what is being done in their name and with their money, and neither do they support the ongoing hunt.
Conducted by Nippon Research Center, Ltd (a member of Gallup International Association), the poll was designed to provide the views of the Japanese public on the Japanese whaling programme. A full copy of the results can be found at:
http://www.greenpeace.org/nippon-poll-2008
such a great thing to try to
such a great thing to try to achieve, you are so enlightened into what certain communities do to our planet that it is getting spread through a stubbern world by hard work and determination.
never stop believing or trying guys, you are an insperation
go greenpeace go
patrick
Lies, damn lies and statistics
Having read what seems to be an encouraging report, I decided to click on the link and view the actual figures.
On inspection, I interpreted them somewhat differently. As far as I can see, the actual percentage of those polled who actually declared that they were opposed to whaling was only 25% - not 69% as suggested in the report from jossc.
The only way to arrive at 69% is to add on the 44% of respondents who expressed no opinion. To me, no opinion does not mean that they are against whaling, it means that they couldn't care less one way or the other!
Surely the way to assess whether a campaign (in this case the numerous ongoing campaigns to educate the Japanese people what is actually going on with repspect to "scientific" whaling) is producing results, is in the number of "converts" to the cause.
Unfortunately over the past 2 years there doesn't seem to be any!
In 2006, 26% of those contacted actually opposed whaling, whereas in 2008, 25% said they were actually opposed.
And whilst I can clearly see that the number of people who actually support whaling has been reduced by 4%, the ones who couldn't care less - sorry, expressed no opinion - went up by 5%.
So unfortunately it seems to me that there is no increase in the number of Japanese opposed to whaling, and there is still a very long way to go before this claim can be made with any real confidence.
Come on Greenpeace - get some aggressive campaigning done!!
Either that, or go and actually prevent whales being killed
Agressive?
Agressive campaigning? like sea shepherd? i thought greenpeace did only peaceful [or thereabouts anyway] protest. What are you on about?
Go Greenpeace!! keep up with the good work!!
cherriman
For several years, I have silently supported Greenpeace. I have the utmost admiration for what you are trying to achieve.
You must remember the peace part of your name. The moment you decide to use force, the threat of force or the apparent threat of force, you become your own enemy.