Japan Valentine chocs send bitter messages

TOKYO, Feb 14 (Reuters) Anti-whaling protesters displayed whale-shaped chocolates and activists sent Japan's Health Minister a giant chocolate urging him to ''Be Our Valentine and Resign!'' as the country's sweet-giving tradition took on a bitter tinge today.

Greenpeace protesters brought their chocolate offerings along with a giant Valentine's card to the venue of an international conference in Tokyo at which Japan and like-minded countries hope to build momentum to re-introduce commercial whaling.

The protest drew a mixed reaction from passers-by.

''It's cute and easy to understand,'' said Miko Hiratani, 34.

''Whales shouldn't be eaten, they're alive, just like us,'' she added.

Takuya Ichinosei, 21, was unimpressed. ''I think it's too bad whaling is limited because it's a traditional source of food from the past,'' he said.

Members of Greenpeace also sent a fax to the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru reading: ''We love Japan, but whaling breaks our hearts,'' the group said in a statement.

Japan, which says whaling is a cherished cultural tradition, began scientific research whaling in 1987. The meat, which under whaling commission rules must be sold for consumption, ends up in supermarkets and restaurants.

For most Japanese, Valentine's Day is an occasion when women buy chocolates for the men in their lives, be they husbands, boyfriends or just co-workers. Men are supposed to reciprocate with gifts on White Day, a month later.

Not so Health Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa, who heads Japan's attempts to boost its birth rate and has been bombarded with calls for his resignation since he referred to women as ''birth-giving machines'' in a speech last month.

The latest came in the form of a giant heart-shaped chocolate delivered to the minister's staff today by rights group Peace Boat. It was inscribed with the message: ''Health Minister Yanagisawa, we like you for resigning.'' REUTERS MS HS0945