Ric O’Barry Returns to Japan
01Sep
Taiji Dolphin Hunts Resume
TOKYO, September 1, 2023: When the wheels touched down at Narita International Airport, in Tokyo earlier this week, it felt like no time had passed since Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project had visited Japan. And yet, time had passed – over seven years, in fact, but Japan had never been far from O’Barry’s mind.
“It was about seven years ago. I remember being escorted out of my cell, taken to Narita Airport and loaded on the 747 airplane before all the other passengers. The four policemen removed my handcuffs and walked away. One walked back to me and said, with a smirk, and in perfect English: “Good riddance, O’Barry-san. You will never set foot in Japan again.” ~ Ric O’Barry
Background
“We will keep a spotlight on the annual Taiji dolphin hunts as long as these crimes against nature continue.” ~ Ric O’Barry
On January 18, 2016, O’Barry was detained by Japanese immigration officials after arriving into Narita International Airport. He was repeatedly interrogated, and then incarcerated. According to his lawyer, Takashi Takano, O’Barry was told he couldn’t enter Japan on a tourist visa as his tourist status was not “fully proven”.
Two days after on January 20, 2016, the Japanese Ministry of Justice denied an appeal from O’Barry to enter the country. Immigration officers also issued an order of departure. O’Barry refused to leave, vowing to fight the deportation order. His lawyer filed a formal objection, with the decision to allow O’Barry into the country or deport him to be made by the Japanese government. Authorities refused to provide Takano with information to support their decision, and O’Barry’s refutal had not been accepted. While he was detained for questioning every time he visited Japan, nothing of this magnitude had ever happened before.
The days passed, with O’Barry (then 76 years of age) enduring detainment and repeated interrogations. His family worried for his health and safety. People from across the world contacted Dolphin Project, asking when he would be released. #IStandWithRicOBarry started immediately trending on Twitter. O’Barry had been traveling to Japan for years, with many friends there. It is a country he loved dearly, always speaking about Japan with tremendous respect for its people, and always complying with Japanese law.
After 19 days of incarceration, on February 5, 2016 O’Barry was deported from Japan.
Dolphin Project and O’Barry’s lawyer launched an immediate appeal, fighting on his behalf to overturn the the deportation order. Almost four years and ten months since O’Barry was loaded onto a plane back to the United States, in a judgement for the case of O’Barry versus Japan, the court ruled in O’Barry’s favor, citing that both his denial of entry (dated January 20, 2016) and deportation (dated February 5, 2016) were without legal merit. The Japanese government attempted to appeal this decision, however, the Supreme Court did not accept the appeal. Thus, on November 20, 2020, when this order became effective, O’Barry was free to return to Japan.
This decision was unprecedented.
“O’Barry’s is the first and only case in Japanese history where a foreigner was deported from Japan by the government and fought the system in court and won.” ~ Takashi Takano, The Law Offices of Takashi Takano
2023/24 Drive Hunts
Ric O’Barry and Japanese activists demonstrate at The Cove, Taiji, Japan. Credit: DolphinProject.com
By the time the Japanese Supreme Court ruled in O’Barry’s favor, the COVID-19 global pandemic was already well underway, and his plans to return to Japan were placed on hold. For three years, Dolphin Project collaborated with Life Investigation Agency (LIA), headed up by campaign director Ren Yabuki and his team of all-Japanese activists. The dedicated team provided on the ground coverage as they documented the drives and other events that took place.
Present
Today, as O’Barry stood at The Cove, witnessing the boats heading out in search of dolphin pods on the first day of the 2023/24 hunting season, he couldn’t be more grateful to the swelling numbers of Japanese activists fighting for the rights of dolphins. He had finally returned to Japan, and to a place he had been visiting since 1976.
Ric O’Barry watches the first hunting boats heading out for the 2023/24 season. Credit: DolphinProject.com
“The annual Taiji dolphin slaughter will end when the good people of Japan rise up against it. We are here to support that effort.” ~ Ric O’Barry
This year Dolphin Project will continue to collaborate with LIA and other local Japanese activists to monitor the dolphin hunts. In addition, Dolphin Project is funding several lawsuits which are currently in litigation in Japanese courts.
O’Barry is more hopeful than ever that the end of the hunts is just over the horizon. And on day one, the boats are returning one by one, empty-handed.
Learn more about the dolphin drive hunts in Taiji.
This September marks Dolphin Project’s Dolphin Defender Month! You can participate in a number of ways to help create awareness of Taiji, Japan’s annual dolphin hunts, and their connection to the captivity industry. During Dolphin Defender Month, people from around the world are encouraged to take action against the dolphin slaughters and captures in Taiji. It is also a great opportunity to continue educating others about the truth behind marine mammal captivity.
Featured image: Ric O’Barry stands with Japanese activists at The Cove, Taiji, Japan. The fake blood covering O’Barry and participants symbolically represents the slaughter of the dolphins. Credit: DolphinProject.com
2023/24 Drive Hunt Quota
Related:
O’Barry Versus Japan: Deportation Order Revoked!
Japan Deports Ric O’Barry
Ric O’Barry Detained in Tokyo
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