Office of the Historian

303. Memorandum From the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (Hill) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Clark)1

Washington, January 12, 1983

SUBJECT

  • WHALES AND THE JAPANESE

Yesterday I met with people from several U.S. conservation organizations about Japan’s commercial whaling policy. The representatives requested that President Reagan raise this issue with Prime Minister Nakasone at their meeting next week.2

The President personally supported a cessation of commercial whaling in a letter to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) (copy attached).3 At its July 1982 meeting, the Commission adopted a three-year phase out. Four nations, Japan, the USSR, Norway and Peru, have announced their intentions to oppose the IWC’s decision.4 Our Administration has warned the Japanese government that the United States may impose economic sanctions on Japan if it does not withdraw its objection. This position has been strongly supported by the Congress. In a December 3 letter, 16 Members of the Senate urged Acting Secretary Kenneth W. Dam to reduce fisheries allocations in U.S. waters on the whaling nations that do not withdraw their opposition.5 Acting Secretary Dam responded by noting that: “We are . . . prepared to use available laws and regulations beginning this spring, to prevent Japan from thwarting the IWC cessation.”6

Former Prime Minister Suzuki filed the objection to the IWC ruling last November.7 Suzuki apparently feared that his successor, Prime Minister Nakasone, would support the IWC phase out. A recent Gallup [Page 856] Poll found 76 percent of Japanese favor acceptance of the decision by the IWC. The Suzuki action was opposed by Trade Minister Abe, who is now Foreign Minister and will accompany Nakasone next week. Both Nakasone and Abe have strong justification for reversing the whaling decision. Firm U.S. pressure during their visit will strengthen the case for support of the phase out.

Obviously, it is preferable to resolve our differences with Japan through diplomatic means. If it is not practical to schedule discussions of Japan’s whaling policy between the President and the Prime Minister, perhaps it can be discussed in the Prime Minister’s subsequent meetings with State Department officials. The environmental representatives have informed me that they will urge Congressional leaders to address commercial whaling when they meet with the Prime Minister.

Let me know if you need more information.

  1. Source: Reagan Library, Guhin, Michael A.: Files, Whales. No classification marking.↩
  2. Memoranda of conversation for the Nakasone visit is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XXX, Japan; Korea, 1981–1984.↩
  3. Not attached. See Public Papers: Reagan, 1981, p. 634.↩
  4. In telegram 23493 from London, October 29, 1982, the Embassy informed the Department about objections from Japan, the U.S.S.R., Norway, and Peru. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D820560–1040)↩
  5. The December 1 letter from Packwood et al. to Dam is in the Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, P820180–0058.↩
  6. Not found.↩
  7. In telegram 301887 to Oslo, the Department informed the Embassy that the Japanese had lodged their objection. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D810537–0580)↩