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CP22327155 — FILE - In this June 7, 2003 file photo, cylinders, or Hanko, of wood, ivory and other material are shown at a Japanese signature seal shop in Tokyo. Hanko are used for everything from renting a house to opening a bank account. The stamps are legal and typically inlaid with ivory lettering. A conservation group claims that Google has something in common with illicit ivory traders in China and Thailand: It says the Internet search giant is helping fuel a dramatic surge in ivory demand in Asia that is killing African elephants at record levels. The Environmental Investigation Agency, a conservation advocacy group, said in a statement Tuesday, March 5, 2013, that there are some 10,000 ads on Google Japan\'s shopping site that promote the sale of ivory. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, File)

Conservation group: Google Japan shopping ads helping fuel African elephant slaughter

March 04 2013 01:51 PM

BANGKOK – A conservation group claims that Google has something in common with illicit ivory traders in China and Thailand: It says the Internet search giant is helping to fuel a dramatic surge in ivory demand.

The Environmental Investigation Agency, a conservation advocacy group, says there are some 10,000 ads on Google Japan’s shopping site that promote the sale of ivory.

About 80 per cent of the ads are for “hanko,” small wooden stamps widely used in Japan to affix signature seals to official documents. The stamps are legal and typically inlaid with ivory lettering.

Google prohibits the promotion of ivory sales on its shopping sites.

A spokesperson for Google Japan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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