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To those who have sent an email query or comment to IKAN through our website and have not received our response as of today,It is very regrettable to say that there was a system problem that prevented us from receiving emails. The problem has been addressed, but we are deeply sorry that we had missed so many comments and queries that you took the time to s
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[Press Release] Demand for whale meat is now so low in Japan, it is used for pet food
May 17th 2022
Press Release
Demand for whale meat is now so low in Japan, it is used for pet food
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is casting a shadow over our lives as it follows the economic stagnation caused by the Corona pandemic that has continued over the past three years. In the midst of this situation, the government has approved the draft budget for 2022, which includes a variety of issues. It is very unfortunate that the budget of approximately 5.1 billion yen related to whaling is included in this year's budget.
Four years ago, on December 28, 2018, then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced that Japan would withdraw from the International Whaling Commission and begin commercial whaling. Then, in July of the following year, one large mothership whaling company and four small coastal whaling companies began commercial whaling.
However, despite the desperate efforts of each of these companies, demand for whale meat has not returned, and stocks keep piling up. It has become clear that the whaling industry can no longer stand on its own without government support, while the government has stated that it plans to end its support for the whaling industry
Answers from the Fisheries Agency regarding the open letter from us.
The Japanese governmenta is writing a new law that can ensure the continuance of commercial whaling
During the Diet session open until December 9th, the Japanese government is aiming to rewrite the 2017 research whaling law into a new law that can ensure the continuance of commercial whaling.
Japan has reopened commercial whaling upon withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission, the only international body managing cetaceans and whaling. Rejoining the organization as an observer is not enough to meet the requirement set by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
It is also problematic that the government is announcing to the whalers the catch limit based on the calculation still not fully in accordance with the RMP determined by the IWC.
On the resumption of commercial whaling
An open letter to:
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Takamori Yoshikawa
Fisheries Agency Director-General Shigeto Hase
On the resumption of commercial whaling
June 28, 2019
Iruka & Kujira (Dolphin & Whale) Action Network
The Japanese government announced last December that it would withdraw from the International Whaling Commission, an operating body of the International Convention of Regulation of Whaling, and instead resume commercial whaling from July this year in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
We, Iruka & Kujira (Dolphin & Whale) Action Network, object to Japan’s exit from the commission, it is our belief that international agreements are essential when addressing issues concerning migratory species such as cetaceans. Furthermore, based on the past experience, large mammals with low fertility rate, such as whales, are not suited for commercial use. In anticipating the return of commercial whaling, we would like you to address some our concerns and clarify uncertain issues.