Japan to Set FY 2020 Whaling Budget at 5.1 B. Yen

Tokyo, Dec. 12 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party at a division meeting Thursday approved the Fisheries Agency's fiscal 2020 spending plan, which includes 5.1 billion yen to cover costs related to whaling. The figure is roughly the same as the amount earmarked under the government's fiscal 2019 initial budget. Japan resumed commercial whaling in July after a 31-year hiatus, after it seceded from the International Whaling Commission in June. The LDP sees the need for continued financial support, judging that it will take time for the commercial whaling to start posting profits stably. The funds will be mainly allocated for exploring whaling grounds and developing techniques for carving up whales. Combined fishery-related spending under the fiscal 2020 full budget and a planned fiscal 2019 supplementary budget will come to 300.3 billion yen. END