The issue I am going to be exploring is Japan’s whaling policy and its violations of the international whaling committee’s regulations. Japan uses whales as a source of tradition, food, research and money. The international community, however, feels that Japan’s killing of whales has become excessive and violates international and environmental regulations. Japan has been urged to comply and change its policy but no real punishments have been placed on the country. Countries such as Australia and the United States are in strong opposition to Japan’s policy as well as countless environmental groups. Norway is a pro-whaling country and therefore supports Japan’s policy. Japan has changed its policy numerous times to appear a responsible member of the international community but still continues to violate regulations. They are currently using most of the whales for “scientific research”.
Scientists and environmental groups consider Japan’s use of whales for research unnecessary and consider it a disguise to hide the country’s economic motivations. Rebuen Ackerman, the Senior Executive Editor of the Boston College International and Comparative Law Review, believes that the United States has the ability to make Japan change its unjust whaling policy. He believes that if the U.S. imposes trade sanctions on Japan it may force the country to change. Japan defends its policy by insisting that whaling is necessary for scientific studies and management of whale stocks. The country also argues that anti-whaling countries misunderstand their motivations based on cultural differences. Amy L. Catalinac from Harvard University and Gerald Chan from Victoria University of Wellington wrote that Japan’s policy was not formed solely by the country’s personal desires or the desires of the IWC, but a mixture of both. They give evidence of the policy’s changes over time and how the need to remain a respected member of the world has greatly affected it. They give evidence for this by showing that Japan has moved more towards rule compliance than any other pro-whaling country.
My personal interest in the issue stems from my experience watching the Oscar-winning documentary “The Cove”. I was horrified by Japan’s excessive killing of dolphins and the lengths they went to in order to cover it up. Most of the citizens of Japan were completely unaware that this practice was taking place. I was introduced to the IWC (International Whaling Committee) at the end of the documentary and I was particularly confused about how they could stand in such strong opposition to Japan’s policy without enforcing any punishments. I strongly favor the need for a change in Japan’s whaling policy and I find it ridiculous that the international community has not done more to make this change happen. Japan’s policy is full of violations and I do believe that the country uses whaling primarily for its commercial value.
Jessica, this is a good, controversial issue, which is quite recent and not too worn out by public debate. I would suggest focusing the four perspectives a bit. So far, I see the “scientists and environmental groups” as well as “Japan/the country”. Are these Japanese scientists and/or environmental groups or those from other countries? In any case, make sure not put them into the same category unless you see that their positions are identical! Also, whose position exactly does “Japan” and the country refer to? I would try to see if within Japan there are a few different perspectives, especially since you are saying that the citizens were unaware of this? So how is the Japanese government’s position different from that of average citizens? What to Japanese scientists are saying? I hope this helps!
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