Foreign Minister Valgerdur Sverrisdóttir arrived in Japan yesterday to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Sverrisdóttir met with Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Aso to discuss fostering business between Iceland and Japan, including matters of free trade, double taxing and aviation. The ministers also discussed whaling, Morgunbladid reports.
In an interview with Reuters, Sverrisdóttir said whaling in Iceland was sustainable and that no endangered species were being hunted. The minister added that anti-whaling protesters were too emotional and lacked information.
An official at the Japanese Ministry of Fisheries told Reuters that there were no legal restrictions for importing whale meat to Japan, but added that the Ministry had not yet received any formal request from an Icelandic company to export whale meat to the Japanese market.
To read more about the minister’s Asia visit, click here.
