The whale killers

International community blasts Japan as it restarts slaughter of ocean giants

JAPAN has sparked international condemnation with its decision to restart commercial whaling for the first time in 30 years.

Green groups claimed minke whales would be slaughtered to sell as meat – despite there being virtually no demand, even in Japan.

Japan is withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission, the body which oversees whale conservation.

Greenpeace described the move as “heartbreaking” and conservationists warned other countries might follow suit. Commercial whaling was banned by the IWC in 1986, after some species were driven almost to extinction.

But officials in Japan, an IWC member since 1951, say eating whales is part of the country’s culture.

For many years, Japan has hunted whales for what it calls “scientific research”, a programme widely criticised by conservationists. They say Japan has created a “false demand” for whale meat by giving it away in school dinners.

But government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said commercial whaling would be restricted to Japanese territorial waters and economic zones.

As a result, Japan will stop hunting in Antarctic waters and the southern hemisphere.

Australia’s foreign minister Marise Payne and environment minister Melissa Price said they were “extremely disappointed”.

“Australia remains resolutely opposed to all forms of commercial and so-called ‘scientific’ whaling,” they said in a joint statement. Nicola Beynon, of Humane Society International, said: “This is the path of a pirate whaling nation, with a troubling disregard for international rule.”

And Greenpeace Japan urged the government to reconsider. Spokesman Sam Annesley said: “The declaration is out of step with the international community, let alone the protection needed to safeguard the future of these majestic creatures.”

KILLED Japanese whaler