Japan rejects deal to limit whaling to its own waters

The IWC has proposed that Japan scale back or halt its whaling in the Antarctic Ocean over the next five years, a suggestion that Shigeru Ishiba, minister of fisheries, dismissed as "unacceptable."

Tokyo "will not be able to accept any proposal that would prohibit Japan from continuing its research whaling," he told reporters.

Environmental campaigners have also condemned the IWC plan.