Demand Japan Stop Whaling

  • by: Deb Duxbury
  • recipient: Prime Minister of Japan Prime Minister, Japan Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Cetacean Research, International Court of Justice, International Whaling Commission

On 31 March 2014 the United Nation's International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a 73-page ruling that concluded that Japan's whale 'research' had little to no probative value. The court ordered Japan to pull all active Antarctic whaling permits and indefinitely refrain from any further issuance. Japan responded dishonorably by announcing that not only would they continue to kill protected and endangered cetaceans in Antarctica, but they started a whaling campaign in the Pacific Ocean. Japan is in direct violation of the law and the global community demands immediate cessation of these hostile, defiant, and antiquated actions.

Japan voluntarily agreed to participate in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium in 1986. However, this was nothing more than a strategic tactic in an attempt to usurp the spirit of the moratorium and corner the whale meat market; evidenced by the creation of Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) in 1987. Government funds heavily bankroll this institute. It was shocking to discover that tens of millions of dollars from global donations, meant to help those who suffered through the 2011 Fukushima disaster, were instead handed over to ICR to support killing endangered cetaceans in a protected habitat. The global community insists that the ICJ ruling be upheld in a swift and productive manner, and the whaling practices of the ICR shutdown.

We, the undersigned, call for the swift ENFORCEMENT of the 31 March 2014 ruling by the United Nation's International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering the country of Japan to cease its whaling activity in Antarctic waters. The International Whaling Commission (IWC), the Antarctic Ocean Alliance, the Antarctic Treaty, the Australian Antarctic Division, in addition to numerous global laws shielding endangered species from the threat of extinction, protect cetaceans in these waters. Japan has gone unchecked and unaccountable to all of these enforcement agencies for too long and must be stopped.


Japan voluntarily agreed to participate in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium in 1986. However, this was nothing more than a strategic tactic in an attempt to usurp the spirit of the moratorium and corner the whale meat market; evidenced by the creation of Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) in 1987. Government funds heavily bankroll this institute. It was shocking to discover that tens of millions of dollars from global donations, meant to help those who suffered through the 2011 Fukushima disaster, were instead handed over to ICR to support killing endangered cetaceans in a protected habitat. The global community insists that the ICJ ruling be upheld in an expedient and productive manner.

Sign Petition
Sign Petition
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.

Privacy Policy

By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.

Having problems signing this? Let us know.