End Itoman Harley’s Duck-Catcher Competition that Turns Fear of Animals into Entertainment.

The Itoman Harley, held annually on the fourth day of the fifth lunar month (June 21) in Itoman City, Okinawa, is reported to be resumed this year after being suspended for four years due to a pandemic. The Harley itself is a very peaceful event in which a large number of people row boats and compete, and is also held in Naha and other cities. However, the one held in Itoman is interspersed with an inhumane pastime in which 50 ducks are tossed into the sea and chased around and captured.

The Animal Rights Center has been calling for the event to be stopped since 2015, but it was held again in 2019, just before the pandemic.

The organizer, the Itoman Fishing Cooperative Association, says it has not yet decided whether the duck catching competition itself will take place. It is unclear how and when this will be decided.

This video shows the 2019 duck catching competition.

Since a request to the administration in 2015, announcements have been made about how to handle the animals, such as not grabbing the ducks’ legs or necks, but still such recommendations from the administration have not been followed at all. Cages are now provided for the animals to be placed in after capture, but in practice, both legs are tied up, etc. There is no consideration for the handling of ducks by children or even adults.

The participants and their surroundings show no consideration for the suffering and fear of the ducks. Entertainment makes us forget our concern for others through excitement and selfish enjoyment.

This kind of entertainment that ignores the suffering of animals and turns violence against them into enjoyment promotes violence in society. Cruelty to animals is directly connected to cruelty to people.

Please bring your opinions to the attention of the public so that the duckling competition can be stopped this year.

Please make your voice heard!
Itoman City Inquiry Form

Okinawa Prefecture Inquiry Form

Itoman City Council Members