Whaling in Japan: Justifiable by Culture?

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Introduction

The gap in reasoning when it comes to utilizing the concept of “scientific research” as a means of justifying the hunting of various whale species by Japanese whalers is the obvious fact that you do not need to hunt 500 or more whales in order to examine the current status of the species (2000, 2006).

This obvious fact makes it all the more apparent that the “scientific research” being conducted by the Japanese is set more along the lines of satisfying local demand for whale meat than it is for preserving species.

On the hand, section 2 of Article VIII of the convention on whaling set by the IWC (International Whaling Commission) specifically states that whales caught under special permits for scientific research should be processed and disposed of in a practical fashion that is in accordance with the directions given by the issuer of the permit.

What this means is that whalers who catch whales for “scientific research” are under the legal obligation to dispose of the excess parts of the whale in a practical fashion, in this particular case it involves the selling the whale meat. Thus, from a legal perspective, the act of selling whale meat gained through “scientific research” is perfectly legal.

Other arguments which back the act of hunting whales involve a variety of reasons ranging from the necessity of adequate monitoring of whale populations, population estimates which indicate that several whale species are well within the range for sustainable hunting, to thinly veiled accusations that other governments and societies have no right in interfering with the cultural heritage and traditions within Japan of which whaling is a part of (Kuchment, 2000).

It is due to these conflicting viewpoints that it must be questioned whether any form of whaling, scientific or not, should be outright banned or if the act of whale hunting by the Japanese is justified based on traditional heritage and scientific data.

The act of whaling by the Japanese should be prevented since they do not own exclusive rights to whales and are subject to the concept of international joint ownership of marine species.

Research question

Should the act of whaling, scientific or not, be outright banned or is the act of whale hunting by the Japanese justified based on traditional heritage and scientific data?

Thesis Statement

The act of whaling by the Japanese should be prevented since they do not own exclusive rights to whales and are subject to the concept of international joint ownership of marine species.

Outline

Arguments to be presented

Cultural Traditions and Scientific Research Vs International Joint Ownership

While Japan justifies the hunting of whales under the concepts of cultural traditions and scientific research, the country does not take into consideration the concept of international joint ownership of marine species (Stevenson, Gordon, & Begun, 2000).

A large percentage of the hunting of whales is conducted within international waters, as such; the actions of the whalers are subject to review by other countries since their rights to the species are also being impacted by what is perceived as a unilateral action for hunting versus a multilateral consensus against it.

Emotion versus Scientific Data

Japan argues that the defense of some species of whales by activities is based on an emotional rather than a scientific response based on clear population estimates (Whaling, 2009).

Content of the Law V the Spirit of the Law

One of the main arguments posed by the Japanese government in support of whaling has been section 2 of Article VIII which creates a loophole allowing the sale of whale meat. While it is considered “legal” under such a technicality it must be questioned whether the “spirit of the law” (i.e. the main intent of the convention on international whaling) is being followed or if it is outright being violated.

Reference List

2000. (2006). Ecologist, 36(2), 12.

Kuchment, A. (2000). Just ‘Research’?. Newsweek (Atlantic Edition), 135(10), 4.

Stevenson, S., Gordon, D., & Begun, B. (2000). Plotting a Strategy for Slaughter. Newsweek, 135(10), 8.

Whaling (2009). Whaling campaigners aim to cut Japan’s hunting fleet. Daily Mail. p. 25.

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