International Law and Treaties
International Court of Justice
Whaling in the Antarctic
(Australia v. Japan: New Zealand intervening)
[Remarks by the Agent of Japan, Koji Tsuruoka]
March 31, 2014
1. The International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, delivered its Judgment today in the case concerning the Whaling in the Antarctic brought by Australia against Japan, with New Zealand intervening.
2. Japan is disappointed and regrets that the Court ruled that JARPA II by Japan did not fall within Article VIII, paragraph 1, of the ICRW. However, Japan will abide by the Judgment of the Court as a State that places a great importance on the international legal order and the rule of law as a basis of the international community.
3. Japan joined the International Whaling Commission more than 60 years ago; and despite the deep divisions within the Commission, and its inability in recent years to function effectively, Japan has stayed within the Commission and tried to find generally-acceptable solutions to the Commission's problems.
4. On behalf of the Japanese delegation, I would like to express my respect to the President, the Members of the Court, the Registrar and his staff, the experts and all who worked for this case.
2. Japan is disappointed and regrets that the Court ruled that JARPA II by Japan did not fall within Article VIII, paragraph 1, of the ICRW. However, Japan will abide by the Judgment of the Court as a State that places a great importance on the international legal order and the rule of law as a basis of the international community.
3. Japan joined the International Whaling Commission more than 60 years ago; and despite the deep divisions within the Commission, and its inability in recent years to function effectively, Japan has stayed within the Commission and tried to find generally-acceptable solutions to the Commission's problems.
4. On behalf of the Japanese delegation, I would like to express my respect to the President, the Members of the Court, the Registrar and his staff, the experts and all who worked for this case.