September 15, 2000. Copyright 2000. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

TOKYO DEFIANT AFTER U.S. THREAT OVER WHALES

LONDON, September 15, Graphic News: 

JAPAN has reacted angrily to U.S. President Bill ClintonÕs announcement of a future fishing ban in U.S. waters and threat of trade sanctions, in response to TokyoÕs decision to expand its whale hunt.

The Japanese research whaling programme was expanded in July to include BrydeÕs and sperm whales which are protected under U.S. law.

Japan insists research whaling is permitted by International Whaling Commission rules and say it has resumed the hunt for sperm and BrydeÕs whales because scientific data suggest their numbers have recovered sufficiently to allow the catches -- a point on which debate still rages.

Whale meat was an important source of protein in Japan after World War Two, but it has become a gourmet food since the 1960s, with falling supplies and high price tags of about $37 to $57 per kilo.

U.S. officials said the yearÕs harvest of about 600 whales was close to completion and Washington hoped ClintonÕs action would head off next yearÕs Japanese hunt.

Fourteen countries have joined the United States in protesting against JapanÕs expanded hunt. Japan gave up commercial whaling in compliance with an international moratorium in 1986 but has conducted what it calls scientific research whaling since 1987.

Japan exported $329.5 million of seafood to the United States in the 12 months ending March 2000.
/ENDS