Japan Considers Leaving IWC to Resume Commercial Whale Hunts

A minke whale is unloaded at a port after a whaling for scientific purposes in Kushiro, in the northernmost main island of Hokkaido in September, 2017. Kyodo News/AP
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TOKYO—Japan is considering leaving the International Whaling Commission to resume commercial hunts, the Fisheries Agency said on Dec. 20, after unsuccessfully campaigning for decades within the organization to gain support for the cause.

The agency said officials haven’t made a final decision but are considering the step.