Japan’s Whaling Program Ruled Unscientific, Must Stop At Last

In May 2010, Australia launched legal proceedings against Japan in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging that:

"Japan's continued pursuit of a large-scale program of whaling under the Second Phase of its Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic ('JARPA II'), in breach of obligations assumed by Japan under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling . . . , as well as its other international obligations for the preservation of marine mammals and the marine environment".

In decision released on Monday, the ICJ ruled in Australia's favour – concluding that the JARPA II Program is unscientific and revoking Japan's authority to issue further research permits.