Australia urges Japan to remain in IWC after its bid to lift whaling ban rejected

Japan hints it may leave International Whaling Commission after attempt to resume commercial hunting voted down

Australia has encouraged Japan to remain within the International Whaling Commission after the country's attempt to lift a 33-year ban on commercial whaling failed to win enough votes.

Japan's so-called "way forward" proposal for the IWC to start a "sustainable whaling" program lost by 41 votes to 27 on a tense final morning of the IWC meeting in Florianopolis, Brazil.