Time to rethink that polar bear rug

At 413 pelts purchased in 2007, Japan is the world's number one importer of polar bear products, according to this Kyodo article in "The Japan Times." As if polar bears didn't have enough problems with their habitat melting, the threatened species are killed for their fur.

Canada still acts as the leading exporter of polar bear stuff. The U.S. was once the leading offender for buying, but after banning polar bear products in 2008, Japan took over the title.

Japanese environmental groups -- led in part by the International Fund for Animal Welfare Japan office -- are making efforts to shut down the domestic market for polar bears, but the decision will mostly be part of an international pact rather than a domestic policy choice.

Environmental issues should be the primary reason for banning the import of polar bear products, of course, but just aesthetically speaking, polar bear rugs don't look that great on tatami mats anyway.