Replies

Why can’t the naval assets of the Jap Defense Force be used to stop these enviro-nuts who are harassing them?

Two major reasons. The biggest is probably cost. Japanese warships tend to be short legged, as they are intended for political reasons to defend the home islands and not much more. Maintaining warships that far from home, and without any friendly ports means a heck of a fleet train of tankers replenishment ships. It costs more than the whaling industry, already rumored to be heavily subsidized, could bring in.

Then there is the problem that much of the waters where this is going on are claimed by Australia. Japan doesn't recognize that claim. The Australians complain about Japanese whalers, however the Australians don't do anything about it. However sending a warship into waters claimed by another nation is a different matter. Australia would have to react with ships of their own. While the Australian Navy is a joke compared to the JMSDF they would be operating a heck of a lot closer to home.

The Chilean navy has been blunt that if the whaling fleet ever enters their waters it won't get back out. That came up last year when the whalers had to turn back into the Sea Hippies after almost giving them the slip on a circumpolar run.

At this point, with their economy in ruins Japan doesn't need a shooting war with Australia or Chile. As for the Sea Hippies they are acting much like the privateers under Queen Elizabeth I. The Australians are letting them go out and do what they are unable to do. And if the Sea Hippies go to far the Australians can always deny everything.

Thanks for the explanation. That really puts the whole situation into perspective. It looks like the whalers are the ones who will have be the ones that will need to push the enviro-nuts back. I’m just wondering how hard they can push back without getting into serious trouble.