1.  a) What is the IWC?
b) How many countries belong to the IWC?

2.  Why is Japan attempting to end the IWC's 21-year-old commercial whaling ban?

3.  How has Congress reacted to Japan's attempt to resume commercial whaling?

4.  What was the result of a Japanese-backed proposal to end the ban on whaling at the IWC's annual meeting last year?

5.  a) Define moratorium.
b) Why does Japan say the moratorium is no longer necessary?
c) What do other pro-whaling countries say will be a benefit if the ban is lifted?

6.  How has Japan been attempting to recruit members to vote against the ban?

7.  What do you think -- If whale populations have really increased, and the whale hunting was regulated, should the commercial whale hunting ban be lifted?  Explain your answer.