PRESS CONFERENCE :Lawsuits Against Dolphin Hunting in Taiji
Press Conference on Dec 27, 2022
和歌山県太地町イルカ追い込み猟に関する２つの訴訟について12月27日（火）記者会見。
Two Lawsuits Concerning Dolphin Drive Hunt in Taiji
和歌山県太地町イルカ追い込み猟に関する２つの訴訟について
Life Investigation Agency (LIA) is an NGO that investigates and prosecutes environmental and animal rights issues, and has been documenting Taiji’s dolphin drive hunt, as it causes significant damage to the marine ecosystem by capturing and slaughtering hundreds of wild dolphins every year.
自然環境やどうぶつに対する調査、告発を行うNGO団体Life Investigation Agency（LIA）は、自然環境や生物多様性が何より重要である現在もなお、野生どうぶつであるイルカを毎年大量に捕獲や屠殺し、海洋環境に多大なダメージを与えるイルカ追い込み猟を現場で調査しています。
In the course of our operation in Taiji, we have noticed that the local government, which is supposed to stand as neutral and serve all of its citizens, seems to conceal certain information and suppress their freedom of opinion, in the benefit of itself and certain people from the local fishery agency. Therefore, LIA has filed the following two lawsuits against the town and the dolphin hunters. We will hold a press conference to explain the details of the lawsuits with the attorney.
現地で活動をする中で、本来中立で開かれた立場であるはずの行政（太地町）が、漁業協同組合と連携して情報の隠蔽を行なったり、言論を封じようとしていると思われる事案が散見されております。そのためLIAは、太地町及びイルカ追い込み猟師に対して以下の２つ訴訟を起こしておりますので、担当弁護士とその詳細を説明する会見を行います。
The government is obligated to respond to the "right to know" of all its residents, therefore, concealing inconvenient information is unacceptable. These trials are positioned to create a stir in administrative management, and we seek for your attendance.
本来、行政は全ての住民の「知る権利」に応える義務があり、都合の悪い情報を隠蔽することは到底許されることではありません。今回、行政運営のあり方に一石を投じる裁判と位置付けておりますので、是非ご出席頂きますよう、よろしくお願いいたします。
Date：Tuesday Dec 27, 2022 at 5:30pm
日時:2022年12月27日（火）午後5:30
Speakers：Taiji resident and the Plaintiffs, Ren Yabuki (Director of LIA)
出席者：太地町町民でLIA代表 本訴訟の原告 ヤブキレン
Attorneys: Takashi Takano, Kyoko Yoshida, The Law Office of Takashi Takano
原告代理人弁護士 高野隆法律事務所 高野隆 吉田京子
① Lawsuit for public information disclosure
Location：Wakayama District Court
Defendant：Taiji Town in Wakayama prefecture
On September 1, 2021, Yabuki requested the Taiji Board of Education to disclose public documents related to the trade and handling of dolphins at the Taiji Whale Museum, based on Article 5-1 of the "Taiji Town Ordinance on Disclosure of Public Documents". However, Yabuki later received the documents in which most of the information was redacted. On August 5, the first oral argument was held. The museum is funded by taxpayers money, and therefore its residents have the right to know how it is being used.
② Lawsuit for damages against a dolphin hunter
Location：Wakayama District Court
Defendant：Dolphin hunter
LIA has been documenting the dolphin drive hunt every year, and with the permission of the Director General of the Osaka Regional Aviation Bureau, flying drones to film the hunt conducted in the ocean. However, on February 1, 2022, one of the drones was intentionally attacked by a dolphin hunter, member of the Taiji Isana Association, resulting in the drone being sunk in the sea. LIA filed a criminal complaint with the Wakayama District Public Prosecutor's Office for destruction of property and a civil suit with the Wakayama District Court, and the first oral argument was held on December 9.
With regard to the activists' operation in Taiji, Yabuki and other activists have experienced being beaten in the face, attacked, and had their equipment damaged. Despite these facts, every year Taiji town conducts joint security drills with the Japan Coast Guard and police using helicopters and large patrol boats to "simulate protecting the hunters from activities’ illegal operation" giving the impression to the public that the activists are committing illegal acts. This is contrary to the fact.
We will explain these points in detail with our attorneys.
Attendance is limited to members of the media, so please bring your business card or other identification.
Thank you,
For any question, please contact at
[email protected]
For journalists, please send your question from below link.
メディアの方からの質問は、以下のリンクよりお送りください。
https://forms.gle/gMrzYB6fDpFgq8zHA
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About Life Investigation Agency
Life Investigation Agency (LIA) is a non profit independent campaigning organization to investigate, expose, inspire and campaign against the illegal trade in wildlife, illegal logging and trade of timber species, the destruction of our natural environment and the abuse of animals, criminally prosecuted more than 3,500 cases of crimes against animals, working with police across the country to bring criminals to justice. LIA has been documenting the dolphin drive hunt in Taiji for over 6 years in collaboration with the US based NGO Dolphin Project.
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