Canned whale meat is displayed at a roadside store named WA-O! in Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture. Photo: REUTERS/Issei Kato
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Outlook uncertain for Japan's whaling industry despite commercial restart

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By Elaine Lies

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This is the report of the IWC Scientific Committee released today. See page 85.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/000490890.pdf

IWCSC discussed Japan's withdrawal from IWC. As a result, they say Japan has been a major contributor to IWC since 1950s, and welcomes Japan's future participation as an observer. 

It's also stated that Japan's future activities will greatly contribute to the management of resources of cetaceans, and will benefit IWCSC. Japan actively participated in IWCSC's discussions and stated that it would contribute to the stock management of whales while providing information.

As an example, the approval of the continuation of the visual survey program (IWC-POWER), which Japan has conducted in collaboration with IWC, has been approved, and IWCSC appreciates the continuation of Japan's contribution. Both sides contribute to the elucidation of the stock status of cetaceans through analysis of the obtained scientific data.

This is the latest situation. It means we are working in the far from the fat white supremacist old men you worship.

In conclusion, read the interview of Paul Watson's fourth Russian ex-stripper wife.

https://infoportalurin.tumblr.com/post/126767781935/exclusive-interview-with-paul-watsons-fourth-wife

-4 ( +21 / -25 )

People without conscience cannot understand why whale meat is not selling.... and as usual, they ignorantly blame it on foreign imports.

5 ( +19 / -14 )

So basically he’s sayin that the old people’s stubbornness has outlived demand.

If nobody buys the meat then the market will die on its own.

26 ( +32 / -6 )

"In the past 30 years, all kinds of foods have come into Japan; there are so many things to eat," said Kazuo Yamamura, president of the Japan Whaling Association. "It's no longer a situation where if you produce lots of whale meat, you're going to make lots of money."

Meaning, in the past, it was more out of necessity than anything else. You and others are trying to force the market to accept a product that few really want. It may be "nostalgic" for those that remember it, yet it is not a product that the younger generation chooses.

Not to mention as well, that the younger generation here is getting more and more information from around the world, and are becoming more aware of the need to protect the whales.

You and your kind are a dying breed that should just go away!

13 ( +28 / -15 )

trying to force the market to accept a product that few really want

Come on. You know how commerce works.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

"It's no longer a situation where if you produce lots of whale meat, you're going to make lots of money."

There's the bottom line of Japan's whaling. It has nothing to do with history or culture. It's only about exploiting whales for cash.

9 ( +24 / -15 )

More catering to the stubborn elderly. Ignorance and arrogance knows no age

19 ( +27 / -8 )

I ate the canned whale meat shown in the picture before for curiosity. I will not buy it again because it is expensive and the taste is not worth the price. Whaling in Japan often becomes a big topic here. But it is a small news in Japan since most consumers are not and will not be eating whale meat as they did in the past. I do not think Japanese fishing industry will send their big ships again to the antarctic sea to hunt whales. If it revives, Japan will become a target of world criticisms. It will remain in small scales as local businesses at a few cities located near the coast of Japan where they hunt whales coming closer to their places.

17 ( +20 / -3 )

Don’t fret. If there isn’t enough demand for whale meat, create it through advertising and marketing.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Their country, their culture, their dietary habits, their rights.

No one here has a right to judge anyone from any country including Japan.

After all, these same people would not appreciate any Japanese person judging their countrymen.

-8 ( +15 / -23 )

@Lalo

Your doing your cause a disservice by picking a losing argument.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

58.2 percent liked eating whale and 28.3 did not,

I have never met a Japanese person, old or young, who likes eating whale. This poll obviously grabbed the attention of a disproportionate number of whale meat lovers and (more likely) nationalists.

7 ( +21 / -14 )

@lalo

I understand wanting to defend Japan, sometimes it is unfairly treated as if it is the Japan of the first half of last century, and it isn't.. but that doesn't mean blindly defending everything, that is nationalism, and nationalism is dangerous. We should always work towards a better world, a better Japan, no-where is perfect. Tradition or a small amount peoples comfort/memory food, if harmful isn't a good enough reason to do something.

Whaling, I don't want my tax funding it, and hope it quickly becomes financially unfeasible and left to become defunct or a very small boutique enterprise of little effect.

16 ( +24 / -8 )

oldman_13Today  07:55 am JST

Their country, their culture, their dietary habits, their rights.

No, this part of the article neatly encapsulates what this whaling issue is really all about:

Whaling supporters include Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Toshihiro Nikai, head of Abe's conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), both of whose districts have long whaled.

LDP old boys want votes. That's all there is to it.

12 ( +20 / -8 )

Whales are sentient mammals that were hunted to near extinction a few short decades ago. Now, after a few decades of the moratorium against commercial whaling a few species have recovered to a stable population although, none of them are at the numbers they were a few hundred years ago. The northern hemisphere whale populations have not fully recovered due to a few countries that ignored the embargo on commercial hunting. There are also a few indigenous groups exploiting their subsistence hunting rights to sell the meat internationally for a profit. They sell it to Japan.

The thing is though, Japan persists in trying to exploit the recovering populations of whales to turn a profit, despite a very small and dwindling market for the meat. The amount of meat accumulated far outweighs the consumption. One would think this would force prices down for consumers due to a glut in the market. However, due to the huge cost of commercial whaling the price will increase even further as demand dwindles.

Japan’s persistence on trying to exploit whales for profit reminds me of a scene from the Simpsons where Bart kept pressing the buzzer and getting shocked.

Cue the theme from Frozen: Let it go! Let it go!

7 ( +16 / -9 )

Save the earth from "Climate Change", but eliminate the whales from our oceans. WTG Japan!

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

About 5.1 billion yen ($47.05 million) was budgeted for whaling in 2019.

Just think about that when you next see your tax bill. This is what you're subsidising. This is why there's no money for day care, or fixing the pensions shambles. LDP Old Boys bilking the system to keep oyajis happy in their reminiscence of a mythical past of delicious food shortages.

7 ( +15 / -8 )

World-wide whaling ban must be lifted because it is completely unjust. For those of us who eat whale meat, it is really delicious. It's time for Japanese Government to support whaling industry and to encourage people eating whale meat. When the demand finally picks up, more and more people would accept eating whale meat is a healthy way of life.

-18 ( +7 / -25 )

@Thomas Ryu - World-wide whaling ban must be lifted because it is completely unjust. For those of us who eat whale meat, it is really delicious. It's time for Japanese Government to support whaling industry and to encourage people eating whale meat. When the demand finally picks up, more and more people would accept eating whale meat is a healthy way of life.

I’m quite sure you don’t realize just how odd this comment really is. “When demand picks up?” Japan has been hunting whales in the southern oceans for the past 30 years for so-called research. This has resulted in a huge stockpile of frozen whale meat they cannot give away. If the demand has not increased in the last 30 years, it never will. It is these same selfish and naive ideals that pushed whales to the brink of extinction forty years ago.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

World-wide whaling ban must be lifted because it is completely unjust. For those of us who eat whale meat, it is really delicious. It's time for Japanese Government to support whaling industry and to encourage people eating whale meat. When the demand finally picks up, more and more people would accept eating whale meat is a healthy way of life.

LOL!

Is Eating Whale Meat in Japan A Risk to Consumers' Health?

http://luna.pos.to/whale/jwa_v22_freeman.html

Fukushima made whale meat even more dangerous! Thank you Japan!

5 ( +15 / -10 )

Why do people in Japan need to accept eating whale meet? ANY species in the world that is endangered should not be eaten. Period. It’s not about tradition or nationalism. Weather you live in the west or east. Doesn’t that kind of make sense?

3 ( +11 / -8 )

In Iceland the people don't eat much whale meat and more are consumed by tourists thinking its a national dish, which it isn't.

Also, Iceland is a small nation. Yep, it is not consumed on a regular bases in large quantities. I equate it to Indian food in Japan. Most Indian nationals back home don't eat nan with all of their meals, but in Japan it seems the main staple at Indian restaurants!

Japanese consumption of seafood has been depleting the oceans for decades. Whale meat might become popular because other seafood maybe gone from the sea! With China on the rise, it is going to get worst.

Thanks, again Japan!

0 ( +11 / -11 )

"let's give 47million dollars for a bunch of boats filled with gas to go and exploit 5000 tonnes of whale meat from ocean only to throw most of it away."

Worst idea ever. Especially the fact that tax dollars are allocated to it.

Idiots.

16 ( +20 / -4 )

Their country, their culture, their dietary habits, their rights.

Well, keep their culture in the waters surrounding Japan.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

Commercial restart? I have been seeing cans of whale meat at supermarkets, informercials, etc. for the longest time.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

At least it was environmentally friendly when the good woman took her reusable bucket down to the harbour for freshly-butchered whale meat.

Why put it into old-fashioned cans, adding insult to injury?

2 ( +6 / -4 )

oldman_13Today 07:55 am JST

Their country, their culture, their dietary habits, their rights.

No one here has a right to judge anyone from any country including Japan.

After all, these same people would not appreciate any Japanese person judging their countrymen.

Out of curiosity, how long do you think someone should have to live in Japan before they have the right to have an opinion? Five years, ten years, twenty, never? I ask, because I cannot imagine why anyone would think that people don't have the right to have an opinion when 1) they contribute to that society and 2) what happens in that society has a direct affect on their lives and well-being.

Also, do you think that non-citizens ever have the right to opinions? Do you have any opinions about Syria, Brexit, Iran, Donald Trump, Israel? If you do, but are not a citizen of that country, then how can you reconcile that with your stance here?

I'm also curious as to what you think of the Japanese who do not consider whaling part of their culture, do not eat it, and oppose whaling. Since this is an issue that Japanese themselves disagree on, you can't present this as if Japan is a monolith and agrees on everything. Obviously, that is not the case, as there are anti-whaling organizations within Japan that are made of Japanese people.

Judging and criticizing are not the same things. You should keep them straight. One can criticize bad ideas without being judgemental of the culture as a whole. As an example, FGM in some African communities is wildly criticized as a human rights violation, including within those communities themselves.

I would be perfectly fine with aspects of my culture being criticized if I thought the criticism was fair. I'm not sure why people tend to get so upset when they hear truths. I'd even say that being outside a country can give one an objective perspective that can be valuable.

19 ( +21 / -2 )

Barely 300 people are directly connected to whaling, and whale represented only about 0.1 percent of Japan's total meat consumption in 2016, according to government data.

Cue the theme from Frozen: Let it go! Let it go!

exactly!

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Let Japan and others have their culture. Their consumption will hardly make any difference.

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

zichiToday  10:16 am JST

Without government subsidies the industry will die by default.

I don't think the industry will have to worry about that, unfortunately. Its powerful friends in the Diet will make sure the cash tap is never turned off. Votes depend on it, after all.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Have had whale sashimi - tasty. A source of food, like so many others. But as the more intelligent posters have noted: demand will dictate whether the industry survives or not.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Withdraw all subsidies and see how it goes.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Isn't this a bigger problem than Japanese whaling? Please keep this problem in your memory. June 21, 2019 Korea, Korea Kyogo newspaper reported, "Korea who has left 2000 deaths of whales a year". Generally, Whales caught in fixed nets will be released if they are alive, and if they are die, they will be captured. These actions are called KONKAKU[1]. Japan's annual catch count is also counted as a formal whaling by the KONKAKU[1] case. Korea does not count the KONKAKU[1] case as a formal whaling. There is too much difference with the number of captures reported to IWC. The “2000 whales annually” reported by the Kyogo newspaper is the correct number of captured KONKAKU[1] cases. Please think carefully, in Japan it is rare to catch whales in the net. The number 2000 is absolutely impossible without intentional capture.

*1 KONKAKU(Dead whale caught accidentally while doing other fishing)

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

The use of whale oil (fat) for lamps, etc., up until about 150 years ago is what really hurt the whale population. It’s amazing that it was such a huge industry back then. I’m actually more worried about all the plastic and Fukushima radiation than I am about Japan’s whale eating.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

TravelmasterToday  11:10 am JST

Isn't this a bigger problem than Japanese whaling? Please keep this problem in your memory. June 21, 2019 Korea...

This isn't a discussion about Korea or any other countries.

RealCDNToday  10:52 am JST

...demand will dictate whether the industry survives or not.

I don't think so. It will survive because certain politicians find it too politically useful to be allowed to die out. Government cash will keep the whaling industry going no matter how low the demand is, and grateful whalers will remember their LDP friends come election time.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

 When the demand finally picks up, more and more people would accept eating whale meat is a healthy way of life. but it not healthy thats what people fail to understand, research has shown all whale and dolphin meat caught in waters near Japan has been found to have high levels of mercury, when it comes to protein you get more of that in poultry & beef, with lower levels of fat at a cheaper prices. Recalcitrant pride doesnt change these facts.

14 ( +18 / -4 )

A little Minamata disease free in every can!

11 ( +14 / -3 )

And here is the money shot:

"Whaling supporters include Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Toshihiro Nikai, head of Abe's conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), both of whose districts have long whaled. Nikai's base includes Taiji, made notorious for dolphin hunts in the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove."

The good ole Nippon Kaigi infected circle in the Diet. Cut this disease out and you'll see the cures with what is wrong in Japan. Sadly, the majority of the voting population is infected with the Shoganai disease.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Cat food for a nation's cats and dogs, what a shocking treatment of a majestic mammal, like a Whale !

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Barely 300 people are directly connected to whaling

Wow. So Japan has spent decades antagonizing the members of the International Whaling Commission, and funding trips to the Antarctic for 'research purposes' for the benefit of just 300 people?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

If they just left it alone, the industry would die a natural death. Whale meat is greasy and tastes both gamey and fishy at the same time. There is a reason most people don’t buy it. I often see it in the supermarket, piled up, untouched. People generally buy it once for the novelty and then never again. They could probably satisfy the current demand for whale meat with a handful of whales per year, but since this has become a political/nationalism issue, they keep trying to force it down people’s throats in schools, nursing homes, and other places where people don’t get to choose what they eat. I don’t mind if people who want to eat it do so, but I don’t want it forced on my kids, or anyone else’s.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

About 5.1 billion yen ($47.05 million) was budgeted for whaling in 2019.

Added to the hundreds of millions already poured into this monument to destructive pride. The money could have been used to set up local industries that would benefit far more people than the 300 who work in this dying industry.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

How about this:

Give up the nationalism, nostalgia and subsidies.

Give up the emotional blackmail and anthropomorphism.

Let the industry sink or swim (sorry) on its own merits. As long as endangered species are not caught, who cares? If the fishermen can make a go of it, good for them. If the market tanks for whale meat, that's fine too.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

The Minke whale is not in any way endangered. If people want to eat it, let them.

The whole agriculture industry in Japan is tax supported. Why not add whaling?

I’d be happy not to have my taxes wasted on either!

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Their country, their culture, their dietary habits, their rights.

I've never met a Japanese that enjoys the taste of whale meat, let alone eat it on a regular basis. I've had it, it's horrible.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

World-wide whaling ban must be lifted because it is completely unjust. For those of us who eat whale meat, it is really delicious. It's time for Japanese Government to support whaling industry and to encourage people eating whale meat. When the demand finally picks up, more and more people would accept eating whale meat is a healthy way of life.

See? Nationalism again... this comment is clearly more about Japanese 'culture' than anything else.

My country used to hunt whales - did so for around 300 years, up until 1963. Whale products were banned in 1973. We changed, why can't Japan? Japan's stubbornness will end up with Pacific whale populations being decimated again... just so they can stick two fingers up at the rest of the world. As bad as Brexiteers: blinkered nationalists with no regard for anything else other than their own desire to recreate a past that never existed except in old black and white films.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Because no one wants it!! How mentally incapable are these people?

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Glad Japan will only slaughter these animals inside its EEZ now.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Shimonoseki, in elementary and middle schools, 70,000 school meals with Kujira last year, which the authorities are pushing up to 100,000 this year, 'in order to keep the tradition alive'. No mention of mercury though. (In Japanese)

https://tys.co.jp/LocalNews/Detail/201906181957_0030313

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@girl_in_tokyo

I think everyone is entitled to have an opinion regardless of their nationality, race, religion, etc. It becomes an issue when one starts criticizing, insulting, propagandizing, telling what to do, or causing any harms based on his/her opinion.

For this Whaling case, it's ok for people to have an opinion of anti-whaling based on whatever their beliefs or reasons, but at the same time, it's ok for people to have an opposite opinion as well. When you start openly criticizing Japan for whaling based on your belief, then you should also expect a counter argument (If you say "Japan should not hunt whales because they are intelligent mammals" then you need to prepare for the type of question "Why not pigs? Why only Japan?").

As some of posters are saying, I believe it is just a matter of time for Japan to stop whaling, not because the majority outside of Japan says so, but simply because it's a dying market. There won't be a supply if the demand is insignificant. But hey, it is just my opinion afterall.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

As you can see in the video two posts ago, tictactogo, when the Board of Education gets behind it, they can maybe revitalize something that would die a natural death.

Give it a cool name like Chicken Tatsuta and fry it to suit schoolkids' tastebuds. What could possibly go wrong?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

This has resulted in a huge stockpile of frozen whale meat they cannot give away. If the demand has not increased in the last 30 years, it never will. It is these same selfish and naive ideals that pushed whales to the brink of extinction forty years ago.

What warehouse is this Whale Meat stockpiled in and do you have an address. The Minke Whale is not an endangered species, last year Japan caught around 300 whales in the Northern European waters, the last estimate was that there is over 10,000 Minke Whales in the area.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

all whale and dolphin meat caught in waters near Japan has been found to have high levels of mercury.

It's probably even worse for Pacific seafood around the American West Coast, after all that's where the jet stream goes from Fukushima, also the Ocean current goes to the same place. All the Fukushima junk is floating up on the American West coast, dead fish, dead birds all kinds of unhealthy things. So it's not just the Japanese waters, when purchasing seafood it's important to see where it came from, in Japan it's usually printed right on the label. If you know a trusted fisherman and you know what waters he fishes in, that's the best route, now days. I live in Japan and I do know the owner of a fishing company and I get 90% of my seafood from him, the rest I read the label.

The fact is it's best you watch where all your food comes from, all my vegetables come from my field, the supermarket stuff anywhere is drenched in pesticide, especially imports. For Whale meat it's probably best from the North Sea, loved the Whale steak, haven't had any for 20 years though. Which reminds me, I also enjoyed American Buffalo steak in the States, amai. Oh, and Minke Whales are not an endangered species. They eat the whole thing, as far as I know there is nothing wasted on the Whale, the statement in the comments is wrong it's not just the belly of the Whale that's edible, even the blubber is salt cured. The picture here is canned Whale meat, try not to eat any canned foods unless you have nothing else.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@nandakandamanda

IMO a school lunch at Shimonoseki city won’t be significant enough to revitalize a dying whale market. There are much tastier and less expensive foods available and I don’t think Education can change the preference of what they really enjoy eating.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

tictactogo, agreed, but the lunches are just part of a wider organized attempt to re-educate people regarding the importance of whaling to the local communities. I posted that video as I could not find the other one I saw recently where they had called the whole port community to the town hall to listen to the guest speaker, a whaler and proponent of whaling. The people gathered there looked slightly mystified as they were asked to cooperate in finding new ways to stimulate whaling.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

nandakandamandaToday  04:29 pm JST

Shimonoseki, in elementary and middle schools, 70,000 school meals with Kujira last year, which the authorities are pushing up to 100,000 this year, 'in order to keep the tradition alive'. No mention of mercury though. (In Japanese).

Why doesn't any of that surprise me. Oh, I know - Shimonoseki is in Shinzo Abe's Diet constituency.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

ClippetyClopJune 25  10:24 pm JST

They usually blow through here a couple of times a day and downvote stuff in quick blocks of seven. Not sure what that achieves but I'm sure it makes them a few yen.

Or blocks of eleven or twelve, but I haven't seen that so much recently. Maybe the moderators got suspicious and started matching up the down votes with usernames and IP addresses. But I wouldn't be so surprised if there weren't a few yen to made peddling the government line - Shinzo Abe is quite Machiavellian about getting it out and suppressing dissent.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The decision to leave the IWC, which will limit whaling to Japan's exclusive economic zone

No it won't. Japan has voluntarily said they will limit themselves to their EEC, but leaving the IWC actually opens up MORE area for hunting whales because they will now be able to hunt in areas designated by the IWC as sanctuaries. Not being a member means those sanctuaries have no effect.

If it revives, Japan will become a target of world criticisms.

They have been a target for the last 30 years and it didn't stop them. Why would it matter now?

Tradition or a small amount peoples comfort/memory food, if harmful

What harm, more than hunting any animal, are you talking about?

This has resulted in a huge stockpile of frozen whale meat they cannot give away.

No, it hasn't. If you look at the data the stockpile goes up when the fleet returns each season and then slowly depletes until the next season. The maximum in storage over the course of a year has not increased. You only see a huge stockpile or an increase if you cherry pick the dates.

Fukushima made whale meat even more dangerous!

Any data to show this?

ANY species in the world that is endangered should not be eaten. Period.

MOST whale species aren't endangered. Period.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

The Fishery Ministry has stated although no longer a member of the IWC it will continue to abide by its regulations and said it was the reason to end hunting in the Antarctic and restrict it to their own waters.

And tomorrow, or any day in the future, they could state they have changed their mind and will not follow IWC regulations and open hunting to all international waters.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

I wanna make a bet Icelandic whale will be exported over again within two years. I’d be surprised if I could find anyone wrong enough to want to take the other side of this bet!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Did it ever stop?

In reality, or figments of imagination?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Oh funnily enough I see the Europeans are thinking they will be exporting more whale to Japan:

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/06/cc6e0f640849-eu-worried-about-rise-in-whale-exports-to-japan-from-iceland-norway.html

It's no problem, the Icelanders and Norwegians run very responsible fisheries.

I mean, if the Europeans were worried about their local interests they should have let Japan catch some more whales in the Antarctic. But yeah, go ahead and harpoon yourself if you like, you reap what you sow.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The outlook is rather simple - nobody wants that canned dog food.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

The outlook is rather simple - nobody wants that canned dog food.

actually I wouldnt feed that tripe to my dog

2 ( +3 / -1 )

And tomorrow, or any day in the future, they could state they have changed their mind and will not follow IWC regulations and open hunting to all international waters.

and why didnt they do it from day one? because they havent got the nads, easier to stick to their own waters, more than enough whales there and save some face on the process, which is exactly what theyve done.

If they manage to overfish whales in their own waters then youll know exactly the extent of Japans ocean conservation

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I think that the Japanese whalers want to cull whales consistently because they think the whales are depleting the amount of fish in the sea - i.e. stealing potential revenue. That may be the real reason and purpose of the whaling industry in Japan - the days of killing whales for human consumption is long gone. It is possible that there are kickbacks for quotas - just thinking aloud.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@nandakandamanda

I think everyone foresees a dying course of whaling market in Japan. I'm neither pro or against whaling but I believe Whaling is one of the oldest traditions in Japan but no longer considered as a part of their culture, so everyone should respect their attempt to sustain their tradition as long as it doesn't destroy the global ecosystem. Japan gov can teach and embrace Whaling tradition as much as they want and they can even serve Whale dishes every single day across Japan, but it still doesn't change my opinion of its dying market simply because "it just doesn't taste so good". The taste can be very subjective but I don't think there are too many people who prefer Whales over all other available foods in the supermarket. As long as the most of people have a choice to select what food to eat, Whales will not be on the top of their list for sure. In other words, I can become pro-whaling if it start tasting good somehow and I will start eating whales if I have nothing else to eat.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Th entire world makes Japan the major whaling country due to the efficiency of the whaling technique and process that use the entire whale for commercial, scientific and ecological benefits. Green Peace and their methods brought attention to the so called "plight" of the whales as with dolphins, because they are "lovely" and "likeable" animals. The numbers can be an issue due to the efficiency. However the combined whaling by other countries far exceed that of Japan and their methodologies are not even close to what the Japanese industry does. But most interestingly whales are being consumed by many other countries in their regular diet.

For Japan, those who have eaten and tasted the meat for food and prepared whale parts for natural industrial oils to natural fertilizers in their fields and gardens, whales have been an important source of livelihood. Whales will for some time to come, be one of the key sources of livelihood and food for many people in many countries. And Japan is doing an efficient job at it.

With declining sources of safe food and the need for waste and pollution management all over the world, whaling too may be affected. Also as with boar, horse, and bear meat, whale meat consumption may decline unless more food establishments use and promote them. Prok and beef have now beome the staple due to the fast food industries. It will be interesting of 7Eleven or Family Mart start to use them in their daily "bento" menu.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

More catering to the stubborn elderly. Ignorance and arrogance knows no age

True, so why have a go at old people again?

Anyway. Not all traditions need to be observed and Japan is not a small community existing on the edge of the world that relies on whales to feed said community.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Sometimes I think the best approach would be: "Ok go eat it if you want ... but here's all the reasons why eating whale meat isn't healthy for you..mercury, pollution, fukushima radiation etc." Maybe if foreign governments focused far more on the the health reasons rather than just saying 'no Japan' most Japanese people will likely go..'high levels of mercury...no thanks'. I also think the 'yoof' being far more aware of world issues now via social media plays a big part in whale consumption decline.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

For all the reasons stated above, just leave the whales and other swimming mammals alone to do their needed functions in the oceans. They are more valuable in the sea than on anyone's lunch plate or "science" research or in the deep freezer.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

@Patricia Yarrow

It’s not for you to decide which animal is more superior than others.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Quick question re mercury.

is there more in whale and dolphin meat than in tuna? I know we are warned against eating tuna too often.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It’s not for you to decide which animal is more superior than others.

She didn't. How did you manage to misunderstand a three-line post so badly?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

is there more in whale and dolphin meat than in tuna? I know we are warned against eating tuna too often.

mercury accumulates in large quantities in fish and mammals that have long lfe spans and consume large amounts of fish. whales and dolphin have some of the longest life spans of any marine creatures and consume large amounts of fish over that life span, the mercury builds up in there tissue. while there is mercury in almost every marine creature it not at quantities of whales and dolphins. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/05/030520082803.htm

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*Nearly all fish contain trace amounts of mercury, but longer-lived predators — like odontocetes, tuna and sharks — are the final repositories for many pollutants because of their position at the top of the food chain.*

Why didn't you mention this quote from the article you linked to? It seems directly related to the question asked.

Also, as the quote says, the high levels where found in toothed whales. Most whale meat sold in Japan (again from your link) are baleen whales (mysticetes) not odontocetes.

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Japan’s decision to resume unrestricted whaling is similar to Japan’s decision to commence it’s barbaric invasion of innocent countries in World War II Bullheaded barbarism is ingrained in the Japanese ethos

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Dolphin meat is sold in Japan under the label of ‘whale’. In other words ‘whale meat’ can include dolphin meat.

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Most whale meat sold in Japan (again from your link) are baleen whales (mysticetes) not odontocetes.

Unfortunately Japan whaling Inc. has a poor record of informing people of which species they are buying. In 2015 the EIA tested whale meat bought on Yahoo! (the nation's biggest whale meat seller). 100% of the samples contained mercury above the government's recommended levels, sometimes by as much as 50 times. 50% of the products also had no information on the species it contained (illegal). They also found similar results in 2011.

When you consume whale meat, you're throwing the dice. Your plate of shiny whale meat might be clean, or it might be loaded with massive levels of mercury. You won't know.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Also, as the quote says, the high levels where found in toothed whales.

you failed to read this

"The researchers analyzed 137 meat samples in all and found that every one exceeded the provisional mercury level set by the Japanese Ministry of Health, which is 0.4 parts per million (ppm). Out of nine different whale species identified, the lowest average mercury level was 1.26 ppm and the highest was 46.9 ppm, with the majority of species ranging from 5-10 ppm."

so every sample they tested exceeded the limits, if anybody believes that whale meat they purchase was somehow excluded or that the whale meat they purchase is some how seperate to Proffessor Ando research theyre deluding themselves. The fact remains the whale meat you purchase has a very high chance of containing high levels of mercury added to the fact Japan lax labeling standards you really cant tell the species or origins of the meat you purchase. Now if whale eaters want to ignore the statistics and take a chance on feeding that tripe to their families then go right ahead. Now that Japan doesnt catch whales in the pristine waters of Antartica(as many state) anymore the chances are even higher youll be eating those species that professor Ando tested. Proffessor Ando even notified the J government about his reseacrh findings but the were ignored. 137 species out of 137 tested positive to murcury levels exceeding government standards. Youd have to be a fool to think your whale meat is different.  With the amount of healtheir and cheaper meats/poultry available why would want too. Yes it is safer becuase beef pork and poultry can and is regulated in what is fed to livestock.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

 In 2015 the EIA tested whale meat bought on Yahoo! (the nation's biggest whale meat seller). 100% of the samples contained mercury above the government's recommended levels, sometimes by as much as 50 times. 50% of the products also had no information on the species it contained (illegal). They also found similar results in 2011.

totally forgot about that, so there you have it, the EIA basically confirmed what Profeesor Ando ( Uni of Hokkaido) research stated. As whale eaters youll have to ask yourself, do I believe what Im buying is safe for my family or do I choose to ignore the what the research has proven.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

some more good info about Mercury in whale meat

http://www.eurocbc.org/Mercury%20Rising%20Japan%20cetacean%20meat%20media55-1.pdf#search='EIA+tested+whale+meat'

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some more good info about Mercury in whale meat

It's quite sad that one of the things that may save whales from extermination by humans is that humans have made them inedible.

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All that being said, with the G20, if trade deals indeed become much more equitable and fair, Japanese prepared whale food products and well as other whale products may become an important export item. That is if they only tried.

Japanese opportunities for their quality products are now being accepted by many people all over the world. Instead of "whining" about declining local domestic business think "international".

Raw fish on sushi is now a welcome dish in many menus all over. Miso and tofu are regulars as with wasabi. Even Japan's rice is being consumed in those countries known for their huge rice production, including the US.

Think positive and be innovative, creative and flexible in thought and action. The world is wide open. Opportunities abound if one only opens one's eyes and looks from a different perspective.

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you failed to read this

No I didn't. I read the entire link. I also found and read the actual paper. And the highest mysteceti reading was 0.17 ppm, which you will notice is below the provisional mercury level set by the Japanese Ministry of Health.

so every sample they tested exceeded the limits

No, every odontoceti sample did. NONE of the mysticeti samples did. That quote is bad journalism and is not supported by the actual paper. In fact it is specifically refuted by the paper which shows zero mysticeti samples exceeding the limits.

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In fact it is specifically refuted by the paper which shows zero mysticeti samples exceeding the limits.

dude I get it your pro whaling but if you want to fool yourself into thinking the whale meat you buy is safe go right ahead, but with all the testing done by Prof Ando by the EIA and the mislabeling or lack of it that continues to this day the odds are stacked against you. bon appetit, with all the safer healthier cheaper meats & fish available I don't know why anybody would want to take that chance.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

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