JAPANESE WEALING IK THE BONIS ISLAND AREA * 

 (A Preliminary Report) 



SUMMARY 



l a Whale fishery around the Bonin Islands, since its development on 

 a commercial basis in 1923 has augmented the food and oil supply of japan. 



2. Two Japanese companies, Nippon Marine Products Co, Ltd, (Nippon 

 Suisan KK) and Ocean Pishing Co, Ltd, (Taiyo Gyogyo KZ), exploited the 

 whale resources of the Bonin Islands. They operated small whaling fleets, 

 and each established a land station where catches were processed. Pro- 

 ducts were brought back to Japan for disposition. 



3. Operations in Bonin waters were minimized with the beginning cf 

 World War II in the Pacific; they had ceased by the time of the Japanese 

 surrender in 1945. 



4. On 30 November 1945, The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers 

 authorized the Japanese to resume Bonin whaling operations from 1 Dec 45- 

 31 Mar 46. A month's extension was granted in March 1946 to enable the 

 Japanese to take full advantage of the whaling season. Operations com- 

 menced in February and were concluded in mid-April 1946. During this 

 season 113 whales were caught despite limited equipment and a relatively 

 short operation. The catch yielded whale products valued at approximately 

 *7, 000, 000. 



This report describes whaling in the neighborhood of the Bonin Islands, 

 Although this area accounted for only 10-15$ of the past production of 

 the Japanese coastal whaling, it has received special attention 

 because it was necessary to extend the authorized Japanese fishing 

 area to allow for 1946 whaling in the Bonin region. A general report 

 covering all aspecte of the Japanese whaling industry, including the 

 Antarctic operations, is being prepared by the Fisheries Division. 





