Thursday saw the opening in Tokyo of the trial of New Zealand environmental activist Peter Bethune, who faces charges in connection with direct action against a Japanese whaling vessel.
Mr Bethune is a member of the anti-whaling Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He was the skipper of Sea Shepherd's futuristic powerboat the Ady Gil, which sank at the beginning of this year after a collision with a Japanese ship.
Mr Bethune went on to board a Japanese vessel from a jet ski, in what he says was an attempt to make a citizen's arrest on the ship's captain and present him with a bill for the damage to the Ady Gil. However, the New Zealander was himself arrested and handed over to the police in Japan.
Watch the video of how the Ady Gil is rammed made by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Mr Bethune is charged with injuring a Japanese sailor with a rancid butter stink bomb, as well as committing vandalism and possessing a knife with a blade exceeding the legal length. On the first day of the trial, he denied assault, but pleaded guilty to four other charges. Mr Bethune admitted attempting to disrupt the ship's business, but said this took place in the light of "additional circumstances" which would be discussed in court. If found guilty on all charges, Mr Bethune could face a 15-year jail sentence.
Sea Shepherd receives millions of euros in financial support from Hollywood stars, including actors Sean Penn and Martin Sheen, and the French former actress Brigitte Bardot. The organisation says it makes use of innovative campaigning techniques and claims its actions have saved hundreds of animals from Japanese whalers.
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