- Japan has formally announced on December 26 that it will withdraw from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) with the aim of resuming commercial whaling from July 2019.
- Japan’s withdrawal will become effective on June 30.
- However, the country will be allowed commercial whaling in nearby waters and within its exclusive economic zone and will not be allowed to hunt whales commercially in the Antarctic Ocean or in the southern hemisphere
- Established in 1948, the IWC is an international body aimed at protecting whales and upholding the “orderly development of the whaling industry.” Japan joined the IWC in 1951.
