An official Japanese boat literally ran over one of his boats, causing it to sink in the cold Antarctic Ocean, without any legal repercussions. They were lucky no one got dismembered or died of hypothermia before being rescued - by another Sea Shepherd boat, because the Japanese didn’t provide assistance.

In Japan, it’d be a kangaroo court. The fact of the matter is that he upsets powerful people, and most justice systems don’t tend to favor the underdog. I wouldn’t want to face the courts either. Even if he wins, his organization loses money, leadership, and the whalers get a few seasons unhindered. It’s a losing proposition any way you slice it.