Canon, the world's top digital camera
maker and major sponsor of projects to save endangered species, has
refused a Greenpeace request to condemn the Japanese government's
whaling programme. The head of Canon, Fujio Mitarai, is also the head of
the Japanese Business Association – Keidanren - a key position for
advising the Japanese Prime Minister of negative impacts on trade
resulting from government policies. Greenpeace today launched a world
wide appeal calling on Canon's customers to urge the company to change
it and the government's minds and add its voice to the international
call for an end to the hunt.
In a letter to Mr Mitarai, dated January 10th, Greenpeace asked him to
endorse the following statement: "Canon is committed to building a
better world for future generations, and does not support the hunting of
endangered or threatened species with anything other than a camera.
Canon believes the lethal whaling research programme in the Southern
Ocean should be ended, and replaced with a non-lethal research programme."
Canon replied on 22 January 2008, claiming to recognise "the importance
of protecting endangered wildlife." However, their letter concluded,
"scientific opinion about research whaling varies... we will not sign
the statement you have sent us."
"Canon sells cameras by using pictures of endangered species, including
whales. Mr Mitarai has the power to help end the hoax of "research"
whaling, which this year is targeting nearly 1,000 whales, including 50
endangered fin whales. He has a responsibility to speak out against it,
internationally and within the highest level of government in Japan.
Greenpeace is amazed that Canon wouldn't condemn the killing of
endangered species for fake research," said Junichi Sato, Greenpeace
Japan Whale Project leader.
"Canon is not directly involved in whaling and we are not calling for a
boycott of Canon," said Sato. "But as the head of a corporation which
promotes itself as a defender of wildlife and as a powerful economic
force in Japan, Mr Mitarai must do more than just advertise endangered
species, he must act to protect them and the reputation of Japanese
business abroad."
