Tokyo, Japan – Greenpeace condemns the Japanese Government’s formal announcement today to officially withdraw from the International Whaling Commission (IWC), with the intention to resume commercial whaling in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Previous media reports had indicated that government of Japan was considering pulling out of the IWC, but the announcement today formalises the country’s intentions to leave the organisation.
Sam Annesley, Executive Director at Greenpeace Japan said:
“It’s clear that the government is trying to sneak in this announcement at the end of year away from the spotlight of international media, but the world sees this for what it is. The declaration today is out of step with the international community, let alone the protection needed to safeguard the future of our oceans and these majestic creatures. The government of Japan must urgently act to conserve marine ecosystems, rather than resume commercial whaling.
“As a result of modern fleet technology, overfishing in both Japanese coastal waters and high seas areas has led to the depletion of many whale species. Most whale populations have not yet been recovered, including larger whales such as blue whales, fin whales and sei whales.
“The world’s oceans face multiple threats such as acidification and plastic pollution, in addition to overfishing. As a country surrounded by oceans where people’s lives have been heavily reliant on marine resources, it is essential for Japan to work towards healthy oceans. Japan’s government has so far failed to resolve these problems.
“As the chair of the G20 in 2019, the Japanese government needs to recommit to the IWC and prioritise new measures for marine conservation.”
END
Contacts:
Greenpeace Japan Press Desk, [email protected], +81 3 5338 9800 (available during Tokyo work hours)
Greenpeace International Press Desk, [email protected], +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hour)
Discussion
There has to be a way to stop Japan from wiping out our whales and dolphines!
Poor thing. What do they do to you? Good thing I waited to buy a new car. Will definitely buying something else other than Japanese car.
It was absolutely heartbreaking to see that photo in the newspaper of that beautiful Minke whale's lifeless body. How atrocious that Japan has resumed this cruel and senseless slaughter. And then celebrating by pouring sake over the poor creature! BOYCOTT JAPAN AND ALL ITS PRODUCTS until they stop these horrific practice. It is beyond comprehension. Have we not learned anything? Pray for our poor planet and all the atrocities unleashed on it.
Whales are one of the animals closest to my heart. They are vital to our ecosystem and marine life. In recent months, I've learned a lot about the history and cruelty of whaling. Yet most of us, just like myself some months ago, have a distant understanding of the topic. The stocks have not recovered, and commercial whaling is not sustainable. Japan claims Whaling as part of their culture. Culture does not excuse cruelty. What happened after all the campaigning? Did it disappear in the air? Or is there a better way to have an impact? If you have ideas, please share these.
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why don't we consider removing the rugby world cup from them - and also the Olympics? that would really get them sitting up! And call for a boycott of Japanese goods.
We must stop the Japanese and other countries to ban Whaling and Tuna fishing to these endangered fish.
What do you think : https://seashepherd.org/2018/12/21/japan-may-quit-the-iwc-and-to-return-to-commercial-whaling/ ??
This is disgusting. Should we buy natural makeup? What can we do?
I can hardly believe this announcement by the Japanese government. Mankind faces enormous environmental problems. Global warming alone is set to cause huge species extinctions. We are set on a path to destroy much of the wildlife of the planet and to leave our children and grand children a chaotic and depleted planet. What message are the Japanese sending out at this moment of crisis? That we can put our own selfish desires before all else. To hell with the future. That such outrageous cruel slaughter can be justified on the basis that it is 'part of a culture.' At the very moment when we all need to recognise that we have to show a willingness to make huge changes in our way of life, a nation is planning to turn back the clock and say, we will do do what we want to do, regardless of the consequences for the environment and the doubtless worldwide condemnation. This must be stopped. I have already written to the japanes embassy expect to see a great protest at this appalling proposal. Today I saw my grandson with a new toy made by his mother. A beautiful blue whale made of denim. What is a seven year old to make of this madness? Is there any hope for them? It becomes harder and harder to think so.
When Japan kills the last whale, how do they plan to make a living then? And how will they replenish the whale for the rest of the world? It is not theirs to do as they like. They carry a responsibility to the rest of humanity to protect and preserve the earth and its lifeforms.
What can anyone in America do ?
Here's some background on how we can stop whaling together. It's from 2016 but still holds true: https://www.greenpeace.org/archive-international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/3-ways-shut-down-the-japanese-whaling/blog/56065/
Please do something. I joined Greenpeace 35+ years ago to stop this sickness.
me too. went on one of the first anti-whale protests - thought naively that we'd won this battle. feel heart broken - and mad - that they're back to killing whales again. - shows their veneer of 'civilization' was only paper thin!
It's our belief that the long-term solution has to come from within Japan, where whale hunting isn't widely supported. Our office there is working really hard with local allies to expose subsidies and shift government policy. Many more whales also die from plastic pollution, threats from overfishing, and the risk of climate change and ocean acidification on their ecosystem, which is why Greenpeace campaigns on all these issues. There's lots you can also do to get involved: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/act/
If humanity allows itself to kill and consume any creature deemed less intelligent, it should someday expect more intelligent aliens to kill and consume humans.
Quit condemning Japan until you can put some teeth behind your condemnation. ....Basically, Greenpeace preaches to the choir. How about using Greenpeace's considerable resources to initiate a boycott of Japanese products? Their whale industry is infinitesimal compared to the Japanese auto industry. See how long they'll continue to kill whales when their auto makers get kicked in the gills because of it. Regarding the Japanese claim that whale hunting is ingrained in its culture? Okay, their culture also deified their emperor, a practice they dropped real quick after WWII; and on that note, there are still practitioners of the ancient Aztec religion in Mexico, but I believe they cut back on human sacrifice awhile back.
Greenpeace’s valiant campaign to stop Japan’s whaling simply was not enough to dissuade them from slaughtering. Now, it’s time to mobilize a boycott of their products with GP members leading the effort (on the streets). First target, Japanese dealerships on auto row East and West coasts. It’s sad that the Govt. of Japan won’t listen to reason and that many fine Japanese companies will have to pay the price for its Government’s callousness and ignorance. If they won’t listen to us, maybe the CEO’s of those Japanese companies can stop this cruel and inhuman slaughter. I live in Silicon Valley, how difficult will it be to get 500-1000 protesters on Steven’s Creek Blvd (auto row) and when do we begin? Count me in. The leadership of GP fought a valiant and courageous battle on the high seas at great risk. Now it is time for GP members (and their millions of supporters) to take this protest to the streets. I agree, I think GP should lead this effort.
Thats all? How about a ban of japanese companies like Sony, Panasonic, Toyota from our shopping lists - see your good Brentspar action??? Money rulez the world - or? Regards Cord
We all need to boycott Japan until they get the message, hurt them in there pocket book .We need to protest them at there car dealership etc. I for one will avoid anything from JAPAN FROM NOW ON!
It is tragic news that Japan will begin commercial whale hunting and pull out of the IWC. But whale meat is not actually widely supported in Japan! So it's our belief that the best long term solution to saving whales from hunting is within Japan itself. This is why our office there is working hard with local allies to expose subsidies and a lack of popular support for whaling, which we hope will shift government policy.
Boycott all goods of Japanese origin!
I have bought Japanese Cars for decades BUT I'll take Korean cars seriously and boycott Honda and Toyota, two of my favorites so long as Japan persists in withdrawal for international norms concerning the hunting of whales, I've been considerably annoyed inputs years as Japan pretends that it is doing legitimate scientific research as it kills whales. Please bring me, my family and friends back. Honda, Toyota have mad some great cars.