Japan hints at withdrawing from IWC to form new whaling body

Japan indicated Thursday it may withdraw from the International Whaling Commission and seek to form a new whaling body as it faced strong opposition to its proposal for small-scale coastal whaling for four Japanese communities.

The Japanese delegation made comments hinting at withdrawal during the final-day session of the four-day IWC annual meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.

Japan said it has put up with "dysfunction" of the IWC ever since the 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling was set and that the rejection of the proposal regarding small-scale coastal whaling was the last straw.

"IWC lost the last chance to reclaim the role of a resource management organization. We are not able to give them any more concession," said Akira Nakamae, Japan's alternate commissioner.

"Our resolution was really well thought and there is no logical reason to turn that down from the resource management perspectives," said Nakamae.

As for the forming of the new body, Japan disclosed no details of its plan at the press conference, saying it is very interested in the idea and would explore options in discussion with other countries.

Japan said it was disappointed by not getting any support from the United States on small-scale coastal whaling, as Tokyo was hoping Washington would change its mind and support Japan's resolution.

In line with the hard-line Japanese stance, Yokohama Mayor Hiroshi Nakada, who was attending the meeting, withdrew his city's candidacy for hosting the annual IWC meeting in 2009.

"The IWC's policy is nothing but a double standard and I fully support Japan's remarks and actions," said Nakada after the press conference, explaining his decision.

Japan dropped the proposed resolution on small-scale coastal whaling after failing to obtain consensus, and did not call for a vote.

The resolution was submitted earlier in the week, asking the commission to consider implementing interim arrangements to assist coastal whaling communities in Japan.

Earlier in the meeting, the IWC approved a nonbinding resolution for maintaining the moratorium on commercial whaling Thursday.

A group of 26 whaling nations including Japan abstained from voting, while 37 conservation-minded nations supported the resolution.