09TOKYO2588 2009-11-09 06:06 2011-01-01 21:09 CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN Embassy Tokyo
SUBJECT: JAPAN RECEPTIVE TO FURTHER ENGAGEMENT ON WHALING
Classified By: DCM James P. Zumwalt, reasons 1.4 b and d
¶1. (C/NF) Summary: U.S. representative to the International
Whaling Commission (IWC) Monica Medina met with senior
officials from the Fisheries Agency of Japan (FAJ) November 4
to discuss progress in negotiations under the Future of the
IWC process. The FAJ Director General described the results
of recent talks in Santiago as a "major step forward" and
said political level consultations on whaling are necessary
following the recent change in administration in Japan. He
defended Japan's proposal to base future reductions in
numbers on current catch quotas rather than the actual number
of whales taken in past years. He added that Australia's
proposal to phase out research whaling is a non-starter for
Japan. He said a successful outcome in the vote on
Greenland's proposal to take humpback whales and action by
the U.S. and others on Japan's complaints against the Sea
Shepherd Conservation Society would positively influence
Japan's negotiating position in the Future of the IWC
process. Ms. Medina said the USG is looking for creative
solutions to the remaining issues facing the IWC and positive
mention at the upcoming U.S.-Japan summit of both sides'
commitment to finding a solution on whaling would be a good
signal. End summary.
