Washington will deny Japan access to fishing rights in U.S. waters based on recommendations by the commerce secretary, who judged Tokyo to be undermining global efforts to preserve whale populations, U.S. President Bill Clinton announced Wednesday.

"Strong international cooperation has allowed the recovery of many whale species once pushed to the brink of extinction. We must work to ensure that these protections are upheld," Clinton said in a statement announcing the sanction.

Commerce Secretary Norman Mineta said earlier in the day that he recommended Clinton impose trade sanctions against Japan over its expanded whaling program.

Denying Japan fishing access to U.S. waters is one of three steps recommended by Mineta. Japanese ships have not operated in U.S. waters since 1988.