The death in February of a killer-whale trainer at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, made headlines all over the world. As has been widely reported, Dawn Brancheau, an experienced orca trainer, was dragged by her hair into the whale's pool, where she died of traumatic injuries and drowning.
The incident has led to a chorus of disapproval about keeping cetaceans in captivity, and debate about whether captive animals should be freed. Anti-whaling campaigners from the United States who complain about Japan's whaling program might want to reflect on how their own country treats cetaceans next time they criticize Japan.
But even though the orca fatality occurred in the U.S., I believe it should make Japan reevaluate what it is doing with captive cetaceans. In fact, I have looked into the situation in Japan, and this country has absolutely nothing to feel smug about.