(JP) Shimonoseki offers more than just talk

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http://www.asahi.com/english/national/K2002052100337.html

 

Shimonoseki offers more than just talk

 

By JUN SAITO, The Asahi Shimbun

 

SHIMONOSEKI-Not only is this seaport hosting the

annual brouhaha between pro- and anti-whaling forces,

it also offers a unique culinary challenge: the whale

dog.

 

Here at Kujiraya, a new fast-food joint opened just in

time for the International Whaling Commission (IWC)

meeting, customers can look forward to a whale of a

time.

 

``This is nice. I come here once a week to enjoy

hotdogs and sandwiches,'' said Naomi Sawauchi, 25, a

local office worker who bought a 280-yen whale dog to

take out.

 

Kujiraya currently offers three kinds of whale

products-the hotdog made from a whale meat sausage, a

whale cutlet sandwich and a whale rice burger.

 

``I feel nostalgic about the products using whale

meat. These are relatively cheap and convenient,''

said Yukio Nakamoto, 68, as he waited for his 300-yen

whale rice burger.

 

Kujiraya opened April 24 in the seaside area of

central Shimonoseki. Operators acknowledge trying to

take advantage of the timing of the IWC conference and

hope to make a splash with younger consumers.

 

On a recent day, within two hours of opening, the

whale rice burger was sold out and the other two whale

products would be sold out before day's end.

 

The restaurant is operated by Shimonoseki-based marine

products processor Maruko Shoji.

 

``Many young people haven't tried whale meat. We hope

the whale sausage hotdog, the whale cutlet sandwich

and the whale rice burger will become famous products

of Shimonoseki,'' company official Toshiaki Okabayashi

said.

 

According to Shimonoseki city officials, many people

in this old whaling town haven't given up hope the

industry can be revived.

 

The city benefits from its involvement with the

government's research whaling programs, which city

officials say have provided an economic benefit worth

200 million yen, including revenues from whale meat

sales and other businesses including ship repair.

 

Shimonoseki Mayor Kiyoshi Ejima said in his speech at

the opening ceremony of the IWC plenary session,

``Shimonoseki is known as the city of whales and we

hope to continue being a center of information on

whales for the rest of the world.''

 

(05/21)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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