Whale-loving Freo considers Japanese ban

by Wilfred Lui

April 8, 2008

IN a bid to protest Japan’s whaling activities, Fremantle council may soon boycott the use of Japanese products and services.

Fremantle councillor Jon Strachan said that the planned boycott was a way to show the city opposed whaling.

“I believe we need the Japanese government to recognise their actions,” he said. “A boycott is a way of showing it”.

Cr Strachan said a boycott would not harm Fremantle’s image.

“We’ve had boycotts in the past and haven’t been adversely affected,” he said.

The proposal, to go before an April 9 meeting of the city’s strategic and general services committee, does not advocate an outright ban on Japanese goods and services. Instead it recommends council officers who purchase goods and services purchase alternatives when available.

Cr Strachan acknowledged a boycott would be hard to implement.

“In practical terms, a boycott would be very difficult to implement,” he said. “Different departments will have to coordinate with each other for it to work.”

He also said it would be difficult to define what exactly constitutes a Japanese product.