Under Japan's special permit whaling programs, in 2007, a total of 551 Antarctic minke whales were taken under the JARPA II program, while 207 common minke, 100 sei, 50 Bryde's and three sperm whales were taken under the JARPN II program in the North Pacific.

The issue of special permit whaling deeply divides the Commission and as in previous years, strong statements both in favor and against lethal research programs were made.

The Japanese delegation said it is "strongly convinced" that the current situation is undesirable for all members and that the IWC must be normalized.

"Japan commends and appreciates the tremendous efforts Chair-Hogarth has put in over the past year in order to once again make the IWC an effective organization that can fulfill its own mission, the conservation and management of whale resources," Japan said in a statement.

Japan is of the view that "due to serious disagreements among different groups within the IWC, there has been a paucity of constru