Australia urges Japan return to Whaling Commission amid concern of 'dangerous precedent'

The Australian government has urged Japan's government to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission.

A minke whale is lifted from a ship at Kushiro port, Hokkaido, northern Japan, 04 September 2017 . Source: EPA

The Australian government said it is "extremely disappointed" with the confirmation by Japan that it will officially withdraw from the International Whaling Commission (IWC). 

Citing difficulty in getting concessions, Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said the government would inform the IWC before the year's end of its planned exit by June 30.

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