So called "Research"

If you haven't seen the second, third and fourth episode is about the hostages. Captain Watson has sent two volunteers in a small raft to deliver a letter to the research boat. The letter informed the Japanese people to stop killing whales. It was that simple. But when the Americans jumped on their boat to deliver the message, the Japanese tied them up. The Americans were held as hostages until the Sea Shepards comply with the Japanese commands. The Japanese has proposed a plan for the Americans so they can release the hostages but the Sea Shepards have refused. After three days, the hostages are returned to the boat. Then the Sea Shepards realized they were being followed by a Japanese spy boat. A spy boat? Why would the Japanese need a spy boat? This makes them look more suspicious. I don't think they are really doing "Research" on the whales. But why did the Japanese take the American hostages? They could of just took the letter and ignored the messengers. They could of avoided any violent contact with the Americans and backed away. The Japanese are trying so hard to get back at the Americans because they are angry that the Americans are interupting their "research". If they weren't doing anything wrong then they could care less of the American actions. But I have seen a picture with a Japanese man selling whale meat in the market, the Japanese are lying. They are killing an endangered species to eat!! This is why they are so afraid of the Americans coming so close to their ship. They are afraid the Americans expose their harsh killings of the whales so they would fight back in any way to stop the Americans. That includes shooting the American captain and taking two people hostage. This is the wrong way for the Japanese to continue their research. They should just ignore the Americans and continue their research if it was that important.