Ep. 28: Mr. Watt droht mit Sanktionen, während Kakumaru beim Bunraku-Auftritt die Walfangpraxis verteidigt

28

Mr. Watt told Jeff that whaling wasn't really important, but in order to raise money for the environmental movement it was easy to paint Japan as a barbaric nation who killed endangered species. He also threatened to use US sanctions against Japan unless whaling was banned. Yamaoka speaks to political journalist Matsukawa, who arranges an interview with deputy prime minister Kakumaru. The minister is unhelpful and explains to Kurita and Yamaoka that trade relations are more important than whaling and kicks them out. Later, when Kaibara enters the Gourmet Club he meets Kakumaru who says he is concerned about the whaling issue. Kurita and Yamaoka receive invitations from Kakumaru to a bunraku puppet theater performance where he and Mr Watt will be in the audience. In the reception after the show, the puppet master mentions that the puppets are controlled with wires made from whalebone. Mr. Watt reacts angrily and declares that whales are more important than bunraku. Kakumaru says whalebone could just be imported from the US, which continues whale hunting even when trying to stop Japan. After a loud quarrel, Mr. Watt leaves, but Kakumaru declares his support for continued hunting of whales. (Source: Wikipedia)