Greenpeace: Japanese whalers leave for annual hunt

A Japanese whaling ship left a port in southwestern Japan on Monday en route to this season's whale hunt in the Antarctic Ocean, the environmental group Greenpeace said. The leading vessel Nisshin Maru left from the port of Innoshima near Hiroshima on Monday afternoon as planned, but under tight security, Greenpeace said in a statement. The rest of the fleet is expected to leave from another port this month.

A Coast Guard official at nearby Onomichi earlier said the ship was scheduled to leave Monday afternoon, but he refused to give his name or further details. Japanese officials refused to comment, citing concerns the departure might be disrupted. (AP)