The Japanese should have considered the act as a targeting with intent of using lethal force and immediately destroyed the apparent and announced threat.
Point a laser at me on my boat during aggressive and threatening action, especially while at sea, and I will do everything I can to immediately introduce you to God.
- thank you - someone gets it
I think the laser is specifically to blind the helmsman. Use should bring Japanese Self Defense Force aircraft out to destroy the pirate vessel. And yes, the whaling ships should be armed, at least with mounted RPG weapons or the like.