[Wyseguy]

Can someone from Japan let me know the "general" consensus in Japan concerning the killing of tens of thousands of dolphins each Spetember in Taiji Japan. I had heard before it was a cutlural act, however I have seen a governmant official (albeit on TV) misrepresenting the method the dolphins are killed. I have also seen (personally) rather silly ways local officials and from the white boots I would guess fisherman, try to prevent people from filming, or seeing the killing of the dolphins. This kind of behavior would not lend itself to one proposal I have been offered, namely that the killing is a Japanese Cultural Tradition. It this were true it would seem that this tradition is not one that many Japanese would be proud of.
Is it common knowledge in Japan that in areas such as Taiji so many thousands of dolphins are being killed, and if so what is the publics' perception of this? I would appreciate hearing all views.