Why do I support commercial whaling?

Q1. Why do you support Japanese whaling?
A1. Whaling issue is one of a few issues that I support Japan Government. Managed whaling is sustainable use, which is global standard. The revised management procedure that was agreed in International Whaling Commission (Scientific Committee) is very conservative. Japan agreed with such a conservative catch limit. The next important problem is to enforce this agreed catch limit. If so, Japan Government will face on a big accountability to the world. This is a good experience of adaptive management.

Q2. How do you think about scientific whaling of Hampback whales?
A2. Why are you nervus about Hampback whales rather than minke whales? The anti-whaling people may recognize anti-whaling as a symbol of environmental conservation. However, American and Australian people has much bigger ecological footprints than Japanese and European people. A quater century ago, American people criticized Japanese for living a rabit hatch. However, living in a small house is definitely environment-friendly. American people still live in bigger houses and criticize managed whaling.

A3. There are two types of managed whaling, coastal traditional whaling and antarctic whaling. The former is my first priority. Coastal whaling is endangered. We should conserve not only species but also diversity of local cultures. TThe latter is also important because a good experience of adaptive management practice. Theory and discussion do not solve enviromental problem.