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Japan Seeks to Overturn Whaling Ban

Japanese fleet uses loophole permitting “scientific whaling” to slaughter hundreds of whales each year.

Fresh attempts by Japan to overturn a moratorium on the commercial hunting of whales have been met with international condemnation. Tokyo introduced a motion to lift a whaling ban imposed by the International Whaling Commission in 1982 at the biannual meeting of the IWC in Brazil on Monday. Since 1982, the Japanese have used a loophole that permits “scientific whaling” to slaughter thousands of the creatures in the Pacific Ocean. In its most recent hunt, the fleet met a quota set by Tokyo of 333 Minke whales, the meat from which was sold in supermarkets and to restaurants. Japan’s submission argues, “Science is clear: There are certain species of whales whose population is healthy enough to be harvested sustainably.” Australia was among the first to react, immediately releasing a statement calling on like-minded nations to resist Japan’s proposals.