The country intends to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and resume commercial whaling next year, according to a report by the Kyodo news agency. “This is the path of a pirate whaling nation, with a troubling disregard for international rule.” Japan has been under pressure for years over its whale hunts in Antarctic waters, which have killed thousands of whales since 1986. The rumoured move would occur just months after the IWC rejected Japan’s latest bid to restart whaling operations. Australia has already criticised the proposed move, and other countries are also expected to condemn Japan.
The country intends to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and resume commercial whaling next year, according to a report by the Kyodo news agency. Japan has been under pressure for years over its whale hunts in Antarctic waters, which have killed thousands of whales since 1986. The rumoured move would occur just months after the IWC rejected Japan’s latest bid to restart whaling operations. Australia has already criticised the proposed move, and other countries are also expected to condemn Japan.