The United States Government has denied Japan future fishing rights in US waters and recommended that economic sanctions be imposed because of its whaling programme. Japan says it will retaliate and take action under international law if trade sanctions are imposed. Commercial whaling is banned but Japan kills more than 400 minke whales a year for what it describes as scientific research. Japan recently announced its intention to hunt 10 sperm whales and 50 Bryde's whales, also for research purposes. Secretary of Commerce Norman Mineta has formally certified that Japan's actions are undermining international protection measures for whales.
Japan says whale meat is only eaten to avoid waste after scientific tests have been completed.
President Clinton now has 60 days to consider whether to implement trade sanctions, and is also directing several cabinet secretaries to consider additional actions the United States could take. Retaliation Joji Morishita of Japan's Fisheries Agency made it clear that if the US imposes trade sanctions Japan will retaliate. He said Japan imports far more fishery products from the US than it exports. Florida braces itself for attack Links to more Americas stories are at the foot of the page.