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AUGUST 22, 2000

Japan plans to harvest 10 sperm whales and 50 Bryde's whales this year, in addition to their usual 500 minke whales taken for scientific study.

Many in Japan say whaling is a cultural tradition and that other countries are exercising cultural imperialism in their attempt to ban it. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986 instituted a worldwide moratorium on commercial whaling.

Others criticize Japan for using the scientific exemption provisions on the IWC agreement as a ruse for commercial hunting.

Get the Story:
Japanese Whaling Culture Endangered, Not Extinct (The Washington Post 8/22)