Greenpeace

Yesterday in Aomori, Japan the trial of whale defenders Junichi and Toru — the "Tokyo Two" — came to a close.

During the long trial, the defense outlined the meticulous investigation by Junichi and Toru into whale meat embezzlement, and in this way put whaling on trial. Whistleblowers and even hostile witnesses corroborated the evidence the Tokyo Two found in 2008. The evidence has been overwhelming and would under normal circumstances in any democracy would lead to an acquittal. The request by the prosecution for 18 months in jail is outrageous and politically motivated. If imposed, the sentence would be the longest jail term for any Greenpeace activist — ever. The Japanese government is aware of the evidence put forth in this case and the outpouring of support for the innocent activists, yet they continue to try to silence the Tokyo Two to support their whaling program.

Not only have outraged and sympathetic citizens taken action on behalf of the Tokyo Two worldwide, but human rights groups, and legal experts and politicians including Desmond Tutu have condemned the unjust arrest of the Tokyo Two.

Even the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention stated that the 26-day detention of Junichi and Toru violated their human rights. How can Japan request jail time when it has already violated the the rights of the Tokyo Two through their detention? A request for jail time is a disrespect to accepted international human rights standards, and not to mention, disproportionate to the alleged crime of taking a box.

We acted peacefully and only in the public interest – to gain evidence of embezzlement of whale meat paid for by the Japanese public. As a signatory to international human rights treaties, Japan must uphold our right to take such action and we trust the court will recognise this in its decision.” -- Junichi Sato.

The demand for jail comes just as crucial talks are to begin at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Morocco where Japan deals internationally to continue its corrupt whaling program. Around the world people are calling for an end to whaling and an end to the prosecution of the Junichi and Toru, two of the boldest whales and oceans defenders. TAKE ACTION! Demand justice for the Tokyo Two and the whales.

Next Tuesday June 8th marks a pivotal point in the trial of Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki, two activists on trial for exposing an embezzlement scandal in the Japanese whaling program. Junichi and Toru, known as the Tokyo Two (T2), will give their closing arguments in what will be their final day in court before the judges retire to consider their verdict. It will be over two years since the two were arrested and subject to the drawn out judicial process, which has seen all three judges change – two of which were rotated only recently - and what appear to be ongoing cover-ups by the authorities.  The trial has become one which is not just about corruption within the whaling industry, but also human rights and freedom of expression in Japan, with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention weighing in to say that the authorities’ treatment of the T2 has violated their human rights.  

Find the full UNWGAD opinion here

A recent CNN TV story describes the issue of whaling as a conflict between activists and the whalers. The T2 case shows a different battle happening within the country, one where those in authority deny their citizens the right to investigate, the right to informed discourse, rights that Japan is obligated to uphold based on their international agreements.  And soon, whaling also faces a pivotal moment with an upcoming International Whaling Commission meeting the Japanese delegation brings the same duplicity to the proceedings that the Tokyo government brings to the trial.

Artist sketch L-R: Junichi Sato, Defense Council Member, and Toru Suzuki. Greenpeace/Molly Intersimone

While the true nature of the whaling industry has been highlighted by the ongoing T2 case  the future of whaling will also come under scrutiny at the next IWC meeting.  Greenpeace wants a fair trial for its activists, and positive change at the IWC that will see the commission modernized into a body for the conservation and protection of whales, not whaling. Japan has an opportunity at the IWC and in the T2 case to prove that it is the first world democracy and environmental leader it wants to be.

Over 400,000 people around the world have signed on to support Junichi and Toru, and with next week’s closing arguments we will see if the court has been paying attention.  Please sign the petition for the T2 and tell the IWC delegation to save the whales.