FILE: Japan plans to withdraw from IWC to resume commercial whal

A minke whale is landed from a research whaling vessel in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, in April 2008.With the aim of resuming commercial whale hunting, Japan is likely to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission, it was learned on Dec. 20, 2018.The government is planning the departure as there is no prospect of resumption as things stand now, due to the moratorium on commercial whaling adopted by the IWC. Japan has nevertheless observed the moratorium. It is expected its departure will be opposed globally, particularly among anti-whaling nations. The IWC was set up for the purpose of the conservation and sustainable use of whales. Currently it has 89 member nations, including Japan. The majority of members are against whaling. It is very unusual for Japan to withdraw from an international organization. There are also cautious views of withdrawal within the government. Taking those matters into consideration, the government is making final adjustments for the process and timing of leaving.Currently, four countries — Iceland, Norway, Canada and Indonesia — conduct commercial whaling of 13 species covered by the IWC moratorium, including blue whales.( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )