Japan is proposing an end to the decades-old ban on commercial whaling, claiming it was supposed to be a temporary measure and that stocks of some breeds of whale have recovered enough to allow for “sustainable” hunting.

At the International Whaling Commission (IWC) conference in Brazil, Japan called for major changes to the organisation, which it has said is “intolerant” and a “mere forum for confrontation”.

The proposal said: “Science is clear: there are certain species of whales whose population is healthy enough to be harvested sustainably.”

“Japan proposes to establish a committee dedicated to sustainable whaling (including commercial whaling and aboriginal subsistence whaling),” the statement added.

The move faces stiff opposition from countries and conservationists that argue whale populations remain vulnerable, or more broadly, that the killing of the animals is increasingly seen as unacceptable.

Japan signed up to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling in 1951, and the IWC declared a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1986, but Japan has continued to hunt whales ostensibly for “scientific research”, which the convention contains provision for.

The loophole already allows Japan to legally kill hundreds of whales a year. Their current quota is now 333 – about a third the number it used to kill before the International Court of Justice ruled Japan’s programme wasn’t scientific in nature.

It revised the programme and resumed the hunt in 2016. Critics have said the research programme is merely a cover for commercial whaling, as much of the whale meat goes on sale.

Short-finned pilot whales on the deck of a Japanese whaling vessel in 2008 (AFP/Getty)

Japan has hunted whales since around the 12th century, and on an industrial scale since the late 1800s, and Japanese representatives frequently say eating whale meat is one of the country’s core traditions.

However, consumption rates are falling – a 2014 poll found few people eat it regularly and there is little demand from tourists.

The conference’s host nation, Brazil, has submitted a proposal saying commercial whaling “is no longer a necessary economic activity [and] has systematically reduced whale populations to dangerously low levels”.

The US and Australia also agree the ban is necessary for conservation. Both countries support an exception on the ban for subsistence whalers.

“The Australian people have clearly made a decision that they don’t believe that whaling is something that we should be undertaking in the 21st century,” said Anne Ruston, Australia’s assistant minister for international development and the Pacific.

“The argument that we put forward from Australia is that we don’t want to see any whales killed, whether they’re killed because [of] commercial whaling or whether it’s so-called scientific whaling.”

New Zealand also called on the commission not to “take a step backwards” and to strengthen their efforts on opposing whaling.

Marine biologists have warned the impact of a return to commercial whaling could be felt beyond the loss of numbers of whales.

Pictures reveal truth about Japan's 'scientific' whaling Show all 5 1 /5 Pictures reveal truth about Japan's 'scientific' whaling Pictures reveal truth about Japan's 'scientific' whaling 15404.bin This picture shows what the Australian government says is the slain carcass of a minke whale tied to the Japanese harpoon ship Yushin Maru 2 in the Antarctic waters AP Pictures reveal truth about Japan's 'scientific' whaling 15403.bin A minke whale and her calf are towed up the rear ramp of the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No.2 in the Southern Ocean REUTERS Pictures reveal truth about Japan's 'scientific' whaling 15399.bin Two whales are dragged on board a Japanese ship after being harpooned in Antarctic waters. The pictures, plastered over front pages and shown on television were taken from an Australian customs vessel tracking the whalers to gather evidence for possible legal action to stop the annual slaughter GETTY IMAGES Pictures reveal truth about Japan's 'scientific' whaling 15402.bin An Australian Customs Service boat from the patrol vessel Oceanic Viking, right, tracking the Japanese whaling in Antarctic waters. The Australian government stepped up it's public relations campaign against Japanese whaling in Antarctic waters by releasing images of whale killings to Australian media organisations AP Pictures reveal truth about Japan's 'scientific' whaling 15401.bin The whale is dragged on board a Japanese ship after being harpooned in Antarctic waters. GETTY IMAGES

Marine wildlife consultant Kate O’Connell of the Animal Welfare Institute said last month it was vital Japan was not allowed to dilute voting rules to enable the hunting of whale species.

“We’re only just beginning to grasp the vital role whales play in maintaining the health of the world’s oceans,” she said.