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O 290749Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 001216 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR D, OES/OA AND EAP/J 
STATE PASS CEQ 
NOAA/NMFS - CMCCARTY AND RWULFF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV EFIS KSCA IWC ETRD JA
SUBJECT: WHALING: JAPAN UNLIKELY TO COMPROMISE IN UPCOMING 
IWC MEETING 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
¶1.  (SBU) While the Japanese public does not oppose whaling - 
in fact most support continued whaling - interest groups here 
are divided over whether to accept a compromise in the 
International Whaling Commission (IWC) that would allow Japan 
limited coastal whaling in exchange for a 
reduction/elimination of Japan's research whaling.  Japanese 
policymakers, however, seem to be coalescing around opposing 
any compromise on the issue that appears to stem from foreign 
pressure, according to a senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
official.  This official also recently told EMIN politicians 
in all Japanese parties support continued whaling in some 
form and that there would be no progress on whaling this 
year. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The MOFA senior official's comments are similar to 
responses from working level GOJ officials and Japanese media 
contacts Post has spoken with recently.  All say Japan is 
unlikely to compromise and they do not expect progress at the 
IWC's annual meeting in Madeira in June.  While there is an 
expectation the negotiations on finding a compromise will 
continue until the 2010 IWC annual meeting, many in the GOJ, 
according to a reporter for a Japanese fisheries trade daily, 
are wondering about future U.S. policies and who may replace 
Dr. Hogarth, and the impact these decision might have on the 
negotiations. 
ZUMWALT