Japan asked to prove its whaling is for scientific research

International Whaling Commission demands more information to review country's plan to target 3,996 mink whales in Southern Ocean

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) on Friday demanded that Japan provide more information to prove that its revised Antarctic whaling programme was for scientific research, saying it could not reach a consensus based on documents submitted.

The British-based IWC had been expected to judge whether Japan's "Newrep-A proposal", which would target 3,996 minke whales over 12 years, had addressed the issues that led to its predecessor being ruled illegal by the international court of justice (ICJ).