It's 'business as usual' for Japan, which just announced it had killed 30 minke whales as part of its "scientific" whaling program. (Photo: Takver/cc/flickr)
Jun 16, 2014
Japanese officials announced Friday that the country had killed 30 minke whales in the northwestern Pacific as part of its stated "research" program that allows for the taking of the marine mammals.
The UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in March that Japan must halt its JARPA II Antarctic whaling program, stating that it is not for purposes of scientific research as the country had claimed.
The 30 minke whales that were killed during the April-June season, however, were caught as part of the country's North Pacific program, which was not stopped by the ICJ ruling.
Though that ruling technically only covered the Southern Ocean, the country's continuation of its "pseudo-scientific" whaling program is quite disappointing, Phil Kline, Senior Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace, told Common Dreams.
That Japan "would go forward at all before putting together a research program that met a reasonable definition of science and isn't just cover for commercial whaling really is just extension of business as usual," Kline added, and said he expects it to be a major point of discussion at the next International Whaling Commission meeting to be held mid-September in Slovenia.
As for Prime Minster Shinzo Abe's announcement last week of his intent "for the resumption of commercial whaling by conducting whaling research in order to obtain scientific data indispensable for the management of whale resources," Kline said it was the "equivalent of a U.S. far right Tea Party-type pandering to his base."
There's something along the lines of "a core of good ole boys" that supports the scientific whaling program, Kline said, so Abe's "bold public statement" was an effort do do nothing more than pander to them.
Real plans remain to be seen at the upcoming IWC meeting, Kline continued, "where Japan will formally propose a process and timeline for its revamped scientific hunt that will satisfy ICJ ruling."
___________________________
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Japanese officials announced Friday that the country had killed 30 minke whales in the northwestern Pacific as part of its stated "research" program that allows for the taking of the marine mammals.
The UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in March that Japan must halt its JARPA II Antarctic whaling program, stating that it is not for purposes of scientific research as the country had claimed.
The 30 minke whales that were killed during the April-June season, however, were caught as part of the country's North Pacific program, which was not stopped by the ICJ ruling.
Though that ruling technically only covered the Southern Ocean, the country's continuation of its "pseudo-scientific" whaling program is quite disappointing, Phil Kline, Senior Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace, told Common Dreams.
That Japan "would go forward at all before putting together a research program that met a reasonable definition of science and isn't just cover for commercial whaling really is just extension of business as usual," Kline added, and said he expects it to be a major point of discussion at the next International Whaling Commission meeting to be held mid-September in Slovenia.
As for Prime Minster Shinzo Abe's announcement last week of his intent "for the resumption of commercial whaling by conducting whaling research in order to obtain scientific data indispensable for the management of whale resources," Kline said it was the "equivalent of a U.S. far right Tea Party-type pandering to his base."
There's something along the lines of "a core of good ole boys" that supports the scientific whaling program, Kline said, so Abe's "bold public statement" was an effort do do nothing more than pander to them.
Real plans remain to be seen at the upcoming IWC meeting, Kline continued, "where Japan will formally propose a process and timeline for its revamped scientific hunt that will satisfy ICJ ruling."
___________________________
Japanese officials announced Friday that the country had killed 30 minke whales in the northwestern Pacific as part of its stated "research" program that allows for the taking of the marine mammals.
The UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in March that Japan must halt its JARPA II Antarctic whaling program, stating that it is not for purposes of scientific research as the country had claimed.
The 30 minke whales that were killed during the April-June season, however, were caught as part of the country's North Pacific program, which was not stopped by the ICJ ruling.
Though that ruling technically only covered the Southern Ocean, the country's continuation of its "pseudo-scientific" whaling program is quite disappointing, Phil Kline, Senior Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace, told Common Dreams.
That Japan "would go forward at all before putting together a research program that met a reasonable definition of science and isn't just cover for commercial whaling really is just extension of business as usual," Kline added, and said he expects it to be a major point of discussion at the next International Whaling Commission meeting to be held mid-September in Slovenia.
As for Prime Minster Shinzo Abe's announcement last week of his intent "for the resumption of commercial whaling by conducting whaling research in order to obtain scientific data indispensable for the management of whale resources," Kline said it was the "equivalent of a U.S. far right Tea Party-type pandering to his base."
There's something along the lines of "a core of good ole boys" that supports the scientific whaling program, Kline said, so Abe's "bold public statement" was an effort do do nothing more than pander to them.
Real plans remain to be seen at the upcoming IWC meeting, Kline continued, "where Japan will formally propose a process and timeline for its revamped scientific hunt that will satisfy ICJ ruling."
___________________________
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.