Japan to withdraw from International Whaling Commission

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00:58

Japan on Wednesday announced its decision to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and resume commercial whaling starting July next year, according to government spokesperson Yoshihide Suga.

Under IWC rules, Japan's withdrawal is expected to come into effect on June 30 following notification to the commission by Janaury 1.

The spokesperson said commercial whaling will be limited to Japan's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.

Following the pullout, Japan still plans to participate in IWC talks as an observer, the government spokesperson told reporters on Wednesday.

The country has long been criticized for its century-old whale hunting tradition. It has reduced its catch following international protests and declining demand for whale meat at home.

Japan has switched to "research whaling" in the 1980s since the IWC imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling due to dwindling stocks.

Japan annually consumes about 5,000 tonnes of whale meat from the research hunts, mainly by the older generation who feel nostalgic about the meat. But critics say they doubt if a country with an aging and shrinking population can develop a sustainable whaling industry if it returns to commercial hunts. Many younger people don't see whales as food.