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Japan kills 30 minke whales in first hunt since UN court order Japan kills 30 minke whales in first hunt since UN court order
(35 minutes later)
Japan has killed 30 minke whales off its north-east coast, in the first hunt since the UN's top court ordered Tokyo to stop killing the animals in the Antarctic, the government said.Japan has killed 30 minke whales off its north-east coast, in the first hunt since the UN's top court ordered Tokyo to stop killing the animals in the Antarctic, the government said.
The Japanese whaling fleet that left the north-eastern fishing town of Ayukawa in April completed its mission last week, the country's fisheries Agency said.The Japanese whaling fleet that left the north-eastern fishing town of Ayukawa in April completed its mission last week, the country's fisheries Agency said.
It was the first campaign since the international court of justice (ICJ) ruled in March that Japan's annual expedition to the Southern Ocean was a commercial activity masquerading as research.It was the first campaign since the international court of justice (ICJ) ruled in March that Japan's annual expedition to the Southern Ocean was a commercial activity masquerading as research.
The non-Antarctic hunt, which takes place in spring and autumn in coastal waters and in the north-western Pacific is also classified as "research" by Japan, but was not at issue in the ICJ case, which only addressed whaling in the Southern Ocean. The non-Antarctic hunt, which takes place in spring and autumn in coastal waters and in the north-western Pacific, is also classified as "research" by Japan, but was not at issue in the ICJ case, which only addressed whaling in the Southern Ocean.
Whalers killed 16 male and 14 female mammals, with an average length of about six metres (20ft), the agency said.Whalers killed 16 male and 14 female mammals, with an average length of about six metres (20ft), the agency said.
Japan has used a loophole in 1986 global moratorium that allows lethal research on the mammals, but has made no secret of the fact that their meat ends up in restaurants and fish markets. Japan has used a loophole in a 1986 global moratorium that allows lethal research on the mammals, but has made no secret of the fact that their meat ends up in restaurants and fish markets.
Tokyo called off the 2014-15 Antarctic hunt, and said it would redesign the controversial whaling mission in an effort to make it more scientific.Tokyo called off the 2014-15 Antarctic hunt, and said it would redesign the controversial whaling mission in an effort to make it more scientific.
The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, angered anti-whaling groups and nations this month when he told parliament he would boost his efforts towards restarting commercial whaling.The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, angered anti-whaling groups and nations this month when he told parliament he would boost his efforts towards restarting commercial whaling.
Anti-whaling activists and countries, including Australia and New Zealand, had hoped Tokyo would use the cover afforded by the ICJ ruling to extricate itself from a hardened position that hunting whales is an integral part of Japanese culture and must be defended.Anti-whaling activists and countries, including Australia and New Zealand, had hoped Tokyo would use the cover afforded by the ICJ ruling to extricate itself from a hardened position that hunting whales is an integral part of Japanese culture and must be defended.
Critics point out that while whale meat was once an important source of protein, few Japanese now eat it, despite government subsidies. Critics point out that while whale meat was once an important source of protein, few Japanese people now eat it, despite government subsidies.
But a recent poll by a leading national newspaper found a majority of those questioned supported Japan's right to hunt the mammals.But a recent poll by a leading national newspaper found a majority of those questioned supported Japan's right to hunt the mammals.
Observers say the tactics of anti-hunt groups like Sea Shepherd, whose boats have harassed whalers in the Southern Ocean, has galvanised support among the Japanese public. Demands for an end to whaling are sometimes painted as cultural imperialism in Japan. Observers say the tactics of anti-hunt groups such as Sea Shepherd, whose boats have harassed whalers in the Southern Ocean, have galvanised support among the Japanese public. Demands for an end to whaling are sometimes painted as cultural imperialism in Japan.