Day out at the Japanese Embassy

It was only my second Greenpeace demonstration after the Big NO to Heathrow's third runway a few weeks back. But this time, we were calling for the release of Junichi and Toru, our Japanese campaigners who are being held in prison without charge for the past ten days and counting. They were arrested for exposing Japan's 'scientific' whaling mission to be a cover up for trade in whale meat. We gathered outside the Japanese embassy with 'Free Junichi and Toru' posters along with a bi-lingual banner with the same message in English and Japanese.

"Who are Junichi and Toru?" asked a passer-by, pointing to the bright banner that I was holding right at the entrance of the embassy. I explained that they are anti-whaling activists who could be held for up to 23 days without trial under Japanese law for exposing the real story behind Japan's whaling operation. "Ah yes, I remember the story: The Tokyo Two" he replied taking a leaflet along with him.

Our boss, John Sauven and Willie McKenzie from the Oceans campaign delivered a dossier on the whale meat scandal and a letter for the ambassador demanding the release of our activists. Curious staff at the consulate took turns coming out and seeing what was going on. After a photo session we ended our protest making sure that we had made our point and our presence felt. But the ordeal for the Tokyo Two continues.

You can write to the Japanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to demand the activists' immediate release. With the G8 fast approaching; this is a perfect time to raise pressure on Japan to release Junichi and Toru and put an end to Japan's whaling mission carried out under the name of 'research'.