ICJ judges are not necessarily experts in marine resources.

Japan was quite willing to accept the judgement of the 'non-expert' ICJ judges when they thought they would win the case. Then when Japan loses, suddenly the judges don't know what they're talking about.

Grapes can be so sour.

If Japan does not want to be part of the ICJ, than Japan can forget about using the international courts when it favors them. Here, Japan is acting like the Republican party. Use the rules when they favor you; ignore then when they don't. What is up with right wingers?!

Hopefully people realize that both Australia and New Zealand, Japan's opponents in the ICJ whaling case, have also exempted themselves from ICJ jurisdiction for certain situations (as do many other countries). Australia it is maritime boundaries such as their claim to waters around Antarctica. While New Zealand it is marine resources (just like Japan). And both of them have had these exemptions in place for years if not decades.

So lets make sure if there is complaining to do it is spread equally to ALL countries with exemptions and not just to those countries that the commenter doesn't like.

If Japan does not want to be part of the ICJ, than Japan can forget about using the international courts when it favors them.

Here, Japan is acting like the Republican party. Use the rules when they favor you; ignore then when they don't.

What is up with right wingers?!

Whatever, just as long as this taxpayer-funded amakudari gravy train keeps powering along, right?

What about radiation issues? J Govt standing silent on that too. Where is the self respect J Govt??

Indeed. Japanese government is because they have a long tradition and history of plundering them.

Wow.. Japan so disappointing.

Australia Whale Sanctuary in the Antarctic is to preserve the species

Australia Whale Sanctuary in the Antarctic is to preserve the species

Just what species is it suppose to preserve? The Antarctic Minke whale is abundant and the Humpback whale is populous enough that it was removed from the endangered species list years ago.

But no matter the claimed reason for the Australian Whale Sanctuary, being as the area is NOT Australian waters makes it inappropriate for Australia to proclaim such a sanctuary and it makes the sanctuary moot.

It's true, ICJ judges are not necessarily experts in marine resources.

However what this Foreign Ministry Official's brain fails to consider is that the ICJ will select a judge who does have the necessary expertise and past experience handling such cases.