EDITORIAL | France Protecting Not Anti-Whaling Activism But Lawlessness

Paul Watson, founder of the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd, has been released from prison in Denmark. He was arrested because of an international warrant initiated by the Japan Coast Guard, citing obstruction of Japanese research whaling.

Japan had actively sought Watson's extradition to Tokyo, but the Danish Ministry of Justice refused. After his release, Watson said that he would go to France and continue his anti-whaling activities.

Sea Shepherd is an outlaw group that has repeatedly engaged in dangerous activities. It has targeted whaling ships from various countries, ramming them with smaller vessels and throwing Molotov cocktails at them.

In a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that Japan had expressed its regret to Denmark. However, is that really enough?

The Shigeru Ishiba administration should take diplomatic measures and clearly convey Japan's anger over this decision.

*A Sea Shepherd obstruction vessel rams the bow of a supply ship for the Japanese whale research mother ship Nisshin Maru on February 20, 2013 (©the Institute of Cetacean Research)*

Release Condones Violence, Lawlessness

In July, Watson was detained by police in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. At that time, he was on his way to disrupt the Japanese whaling fleet. His arrest was based on an existing international warrant initiated by the Japan Coast Guard.

Japan requested his extradition, but French President Emmanuel Macron, an anti-whaling advocate, and others lobbied the Danish government against it. Watson's detention went on for five months.

The international warrant issued by the Japan Coast Guard through Interpol was valid. Denmark's decision to release Watson without subjecting him to the rule of law signifies an acceptance of Sea Shepherd's violent lawlessness.

It is outrageous that former French Minister for Ecological Transition Barbara Pompili issued a statement expressing her relief at Watson's release.

*Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya at the Prime Minister's Office (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna)*

Japan's Failed Diplomacy

Meanwhile, what exactly were Prime Minister Ishiba, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and the foreign ministry doing? Their failure to secure Watson's extradition is a diplomatic defeat and calls for deep reflection.

In a press conference in Paris, Watson declared that his group would intervene if Japanese whaling vessels entered an Antarctic Ocean sanctuary. However, Japan's whaling activities are legal, and Watson must not be allowed to repeatedly break the law.

The Japanese government should strongly press France to arrest and extradite Watson.