September 17, 2018 — Japan will not be able to resume commercial whaling in the Southern Ocean after losing its bid at the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
Overnight the commission held a meeting in Brazil where Japan’s proposal that would have opened the door to commercial whaling was defeated 41 to 27.
In response, Japan is threatening to quit the commission.
It has been arguing that whale stocks have recovered sufficiently for the ban to be lifted.
Japan’s Agriculture Minister Masaaki Taniai has warned his country will consider its options, if different positions and views cannot coexist.
“Then Japan will be pressed to undertake a fundamental reassessment of its position as a member of the IWC,” he said.