Japanese government decision reported in media on December 26, 2018 (Essay Sample)

Student’s Name
Professor's Name
Course
Date
Japanese Government Withdrawal From IWC
Summary of Japanese Government Decision
On 26 December 2018, Japan made a swift policy shift with regard to its international obligations to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) by announcing the withdrawal of its membership. Although Japan has been a signatory to the 1986 moratorium that halted commercial whaling, it has justified its continued whale hunting in the Antarctic Ocean on scientific grounds. However, a case filed by Australia to the International Court of Justice ruled out the legality of Japan’s actions in 2014. Japan’s whaling industry also suffered a big blow following the decision by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species to disallow Japan from obtaining whale meat of sei whales from international territories. Japan has defended its withdrawal from IWC by claiming that the global body has failed to balance between the conservation of whale populations and the cultural traditions and commercial needs of whaling nations.
Actors and Their Policy Positions
Major actors