19 Feb Whale Wars: Australia Gives Japan One More Chance to Settle
19.02.10
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2 Comments
I had almost forgotten about this ongoing dispute between Australia and Japan over whaling, which has been going on for years (and which I first noted on this blog way back in 2005). The Australian Prime Minister warned Japan yesterday that if whaling doesn’t stop by November, Australia will take Japan to court, either the ICJ or the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Australia seems ready to go. It has its evidence lined up and appears to have James Crawford on board to argue its case before either the ITLOS or the ICJ. I wouldn’t hold my breath on a quick decision on this, but it would be an interesting case nonetheless. As far as I know, Japan has never faced a case in the ICJ. I wonder what its reaction would be.
Response… When does Australia plan to take the U.S. and Canada to court over whaling?
I believe that you are right, that Japan has never been in an I.C.J. case. For completeness, it might be noted that Japan was a co-claimant (with Britain, France and Italy) in two P.C.I.J. cases: the Wimbledon (1923), against Germany; and the Interpretation of the Memel Statute (1932), against Lithuania.