340. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Japan1
324859. Subject: Japanese Revised Research Whaling Proposal.
1. USG and GOJ officials met in Washington October 13–15, 1987, to discuss the Japanese Scientific Whale Research Program. The revised proposal involves the taking of 300 minke whales (original proposal called for taking 825 minkes and 50 sperm whales). The proposal is now called a “feasibility study . . . for preliminary research” to highlight a new sampling method which takes into account comments by the Scientific Committee. It deletes the most controversial portion of the original proposal which was to determine age-specific mortality. However, the GOJ plans to provide a simulation study of this matter and analysis for Scientific Committee review in 1988.
The two sides agreed on an informal report of the meeting for internal use conveyed in para 2 below. The text of a very informal translation of press guidance used by GOJ officials in a press conference for Japanese press only held September 16 at five p.m. is in para 3. New Japanese IWC Commissioner Shima will travel to London next week to meet with IWC Scientific Committee Chairman Dr. Kirkwood and IWC Secretary Dr. Gambell to discuss the Scientific Committee of the Japanese revised proposal.2 Following these consultations, GOJ will decide on how to proceed and will advise USG of decision.
2. Begin text. Representatives of the Government of Japan and of the United States Government met in Washington October 13–15, 1987, to discuss the Japanese Scientific Whale Research Program. The Japanese delegation was led by Goroku Satake, Director General of the Japanese Fisheries Agency; the U.S. Delegation was led by J. Curtis Mack, II, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce, NOAA.
Japan recognizes that the United States considers that whaling policy should not be treated as a bilateral issue and further considers that the International Whaling Commission (IWC) is the appropriate multilateral forum for discussion of the merits of the research programs involving the taking of whales submitted by Japan and other nations. The United States reiterated that the Secretary of Commerce would have no discretion but to impose sanctions on Japan under the Pack [Page 975] wood Amendment if the Secretary were to determine that the Japanese Research Program diminished the effectiveness of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.
Japan announced that, in response to the recommendation made by the IWC at its 39th annual meeting,3 Japan had developed a new preliminary research program to address the problems raised at the last IWC Scientific Committee meeting on Japan’s original research proposal. Japan expressed its intention to immediately submit its new research proposal to the members of the IWC Scientific Committee for review by correspondence.
Japanese scientists briefed Dr. William Evans, Assistant Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and Dr. Michael Tillman, Senior NMFS Scientist and Former Chairman of the IWC Scientific Committee. Based on that briefing, the United States reached the preliminary conclusion that Japan’s proposal is a serious proposal, developed in good faith and aimed at achieving scientific purposes. The United States reserved its final position until the proposal has been thoroughly reviewed by its scientific advisors and other IWC Scientific Committee members.
The United States stated that it would support the efforts of Japan to seek an expeditious review by the IWC Scientific Committee of Japan’s new research proposal. Japan stated that it is making a good-faith effort to follow the procedures of the IWC, and expressed its hope that the United States would therefore take no adverse action against Japan under the Packwood or Pelly Amendments. The United States pointed out that if Japan begins research involving the taking of whales pursuant to the new research proposal, a question facing the Secretary of Commerce in applying the Packwood Amendment will be whether the IWC Scientific Committee has been satisfied that the new proposal cures “the serious uncertainties identified in its discussion as to the capability of the research methods (originally) proposed to contribute sufficiently reliable results needed for the comprehensive assessment or for other critically important research needs.” Therefore, the United States continued, it will be crucial to the United States that the IWC Scientific Committee issue its report on Japan’s new research proposal before Japan begins research pursuant to that proposal.
The United States commended Japan for seeking to be responsive to the recommendation made by the IWC to Japan. The United States emphasized that the position the United States eventually takes on Japan’s new research proposal will be based on careful review by its own scientific advisors and consideration of the views expressed by [Page 976] other members of the IWC Scientific Committee. The United States noted that it would be helpful if the IWC Scientific Committee were to hold an intersessional meeting to discuss the merits of Japan’s new proposal. The United States assured Japan that the United States’ review of Japan’s new proposal would be fair and impartial.
While recognizing that the Secretary of Commerce must honor his responsibilities under U.S. law, particularly the Packwood and Pelly Amendments, both the United States and Japan expressed the hope that their important and mutually beneficial fishery relations would not be disrupted. The meetings were conducted in a cordial atmosphere, and both sides considered them to have been productive. End text.
3. Begin text of press guidance.
—From October 13–16 we had consultations with the USG on the possibility of implementation of the Japanese research program involving whales.
—During consultations the Japan side presented a new approach based upon the past consultations and sought the sound appreciation of that approach by U.S. side.
—After the consultations we don’t feel we had a negative response from the U.S. side.
—I will go back to Japan and report the result of this consultation to Minister Kato after that we will consider the next step.
—In case asked what kind of steps you are taking if necessary we will immediately initiate procedure internationally needed toward realization of new idea.
—In case asked what the needed procedures are that is to let IWC Scientific Committee review the Japan program and to seek its understanding to obtain [missing text?].
—In case asked if it means you can gain support of implementation of research from the U.S., the U.S. has not changed its position that this issue should not be dealt with bilaterally. I hope you make your own judgment on the question you just asked in light/consideration of what I have explained so far but at least I feel we gained the U.S. understanding of our intent to initiate the internationally necessary procedures towards realization of our idea. End text of press guidance.
- Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D870856–0289. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Sent for information to Oslo, Moscow, Reykjavik, London, and Seoul. Drafted by Kendrew; cleared in EAP/J and NOAA/NMFS; and approved by Arnaudo.↩
- Not further identified.↩
- See footnote 14, Document 333.↩