Australia Is Upset With Japan For Withdrawing From International Whaling Commission

The Australian government has vocally come out to express that it is “extremely disappointed” over Japan’s decision to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and pave the way for its return to commercial whaling. Australian foreign and environment ministers also describe the decision of the Asian giant as “regrettable.”

Australia ‘extremely disappointed’ by Japan’s withdrawal from International Whaling Commission https://t.co/K78MIJCvcL

— The Japan Times (@japantimes) December 26, 2018

Japan’s exit from the UK-headquartered IWC is expected to be formalized on June 30 next year. Tokyo said on the same day it declared its intention for the exit that it will resume commercial whaling within its own exclusive economic zone the following month, or in July of the same year.

One source of little comfort for Australia in light of Japan’s pull out from the IWC is their neighbor’s promise that it would stop whaling in the Antartic Ocean next summer.

Japan has previously done whaling in waters including the Antartic Ocean supposedly for scientific research purposes, but other countries led by Australia are not convinced. They believe it’s just a cover for commercial whaling.

Japan formally announces IWC withdrawal to resume commercial whaling https://t.co/wrcglbWmdK

— The Japan Times (@japantimes) December 26, 2018

Japan will no longer be able to conduct research whaling in the Antartic Ocean once it formally exits from the IWC.

Japan stopped commercial whaling in 1988 to comply with an IWC moratorium on such adopted in 1982.

The decision was prompted by opposition from anti-whaling countries over Japan's desire to restart commercial whaling for the first time since 1998. Tokyo wants to resume the practice in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. https://t.co/4VppQa3RcK

— Nikkei Asian Review (@NAR) December 20, 2018

Japan’s decision has been met by criticisms from various sectors, especially from environmental groups. Already, the NGO Greenpeace has condemned the move and said that whales need to be protected. Greenpeace posted a Twitter message that says: “We must protect these majestic creatures and their ocean home.”

This is heartbreaking! We need to protect these majestic creatures and their ocean home.

RT so this news doesn't go unnoticed!https://t.co/ab7x7JlPSm

— Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) December 26, 2018

The IWC was established in 1948 to advance the conservation and sustainable use of whales.

Some whale meat is still being sold in select stores and restaurants in Japan.

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