Japan resumes whale meat imports

Someone please explain the obvious disconnect here. Japan has imported whale meat from Iceland, which means it was bought and sold as part of commerce. But commercial whaling is banned. Has Japan finally decided to let go of the charade of "research whaling" and decided to admit that it is promoting commercial whaling? And why did the officials refuse to release any details on this shipment? What's the big secret? Aren't customs records public information?

Oh yes, in days gone by whale meat was a source of protein, blimey even us British ate it during WWII.

Japan is commercially whaling, it's lie of scientific whaling is known by all rational minded people.

Importing these whales , shows Japan ignores world opinion and makes itself more of a pariah.

Gawd, they know how to make them seleves look bad don't they?

With Japan donating large sums to other countries, and bailing out western banks, nobody with authority will do anything about it except issue a strong letter, if that. Japan has thumbed its nose at world opinion for years and what has been the out come - nothing.

Whale oil beef hooked!

herfornow

customs records most certainly are NOT information the public can access, sure they publish weight/value stats & the like but you cant just go to customs & ask for access to records of companies import/export activities

I am against all whaling and importing of whale comments by every nation.

Japan can get protein from othe sources, there is no need to import or kill these lovely creatures.

Thionking about this makes me cry. We should boycott Japanese products to show our disgust!!!

Whaling is horrid!!!

Thionking about this makes me cry

thionking in general sounds like it would make anyone cry. including the wales and Japanese public.

Once again, Japan shows the world that it is not really of this world, and has no desire to be part of this world, either. Its a different planet - the Land of Kawaii, manga, computer games, pachinko, yakuza doing whatever the hell they like while the J police turn a blind eye, and eating whale meat - surely the most disgusting "food" on the planet?

Japan's actions disgust me, but MikeBarrymore's comment makes want to become a whale gourmet.

The imported whale meat will also be used to assist the Japan thermometer industry with the leached mercury from the whale meat.

violent protests

Yeah, if yelling loadly and putting their boat in the way is 'violent'.

12 posts so far and not one in support of whaling. How depressing. The holier than thou hypocrisy of these posts disgusts me. The only shame is that Japan doesn't have the guts to get on with it and resume normal commercial whaling. Hopefully they will one day. One good thing about the international restrictions on whaling is that many species of whales are now abundant. I'm ashamed to be British hearing all your pathetic whining about Japan's nasty whaling habits.

Japan resumes these imports and force feeds it to school kids and hospital patients.

If you ever saw how a whale dies after being hunted anyone would be in tears!!

I wonder why the government is reluctant to say what type of whale meat has been imported? Could it be that it is a type that is high in toxins and heavy metals? Surely the goverment wouldn't import dodgy whale meat on the sly right after spending so much time slagging off China for exporting toxic food?

Actually, if the whale meat is on the market it should be labelled as a product of Iceland, although it probably won't be. Has anybody seen any in the shops?

I'm not sure where the market for this is coming from; I know many people who have eaten whale, but none that actually like it.

I know many people who have eaten whale, but none that actually like it.

romulus is one of them. It was horrible.

I prefer maguro myself.

Japan can get protein from othe sources, there is no need to import or kill these lovely creatures.

Thionking about this makes me cry. We should boycott Japanese products to show our disgust!!!

Whaling is horrid!!!

Cowing is horrid!!! So is sheeping, fishing and pigging. It's time for governments to make veganism compulsory. Except that vegetables also feel pain (http://www.newstatesman.com/200408020017) and are thus slaughtered in a manner endorsed by those supposedly humane individuals who decry the killing of fauna.

Seriously though, if non-endangered species are targeted, and not too many are taken, then there shouldn't be any problem with whaling. However, there are plenty of other fish in the sea, so to speak, and is it necessary to eat an animal which can only be captured by a harpoon through its body, when we can dine on one that has been killed instantly with a bolt though its brain?

I tried it once because it was already ordered (by someone in our party) and already on the table. It was one of the most disgusting things I've ever eaten. I don't know more than a handful of Japanese who actually like it, while I've heard hundreds say they don't like it at all. In fact, the ONLY people that have said to me they like it, come to think of it, are old men who get this odd wave of nostalgia over their faces when they think of whale meat, saying it's all they had for nutrition after WWII. They then go one to talk about how horrible the times were and how advanced Japan has become since. Hmmm....

Iceland needs every Dollar, Euro or Yen it can get. The people there, or rather their entire country is in dire straits. People who care more about animals than human beings aren't qualified to be people.

I would not mind seeing Japan allowed to continue commercial whaling, under the condition that the government must stop subsidizing the practice. Stop the charade of "research" and make it openly commercial, but it would have to support itself economically. If that happened I predict it would stop naturally within a few years, due to insufficient demand to make it a sustainable business. Whaling is an issue only because the government makes it so.

This blows the whole 'scientific research' lie from the Japanese once and for all. The Japanese would get a lot more respect if they just stood up straight and admitted that they caught whales because they are a delicacy for Japanese people. Maybe then they would be allowed to hunt a controlled amount and the rest of the world would get off their backs for being honest about it. Why such a big lie ?

Are you kidding? Diplomatic lies are all that allows them to continue whaling. These lies are in fact the basis of diplomacy. Diplomatic lies are used to prevent confrontation when that confrontation wouldn't serve anyone. This is another example of that. Yes its dishonest, but it allows Japan to continue whaling, and allows other countries to ignore this fact, despite their public opposition.

Molenir, you confuse me with your argument ? I am calling the Japanese scientific whaling argument a big lie, highlighted by this recent news. Lies are the basis of diplomacy ? Come on man, this isn't a George Clooney movie. Lies are lies. No need to twist the logic.

Watch "Whale wars" on animal channel that is newest super reality show that might inspire most people to contribute to "Sea Shepherd". It is so horrible that while those japanese hunters slaughtering whale they show big banners of "we are testing blood" or "we are checking meat temperature."

Anybody who eat whale meat is cursed. (that is why iceland economy is totally collapsed)

i, for one, am grateful. i quite enjoy the taste of whale, and look forward to eating as much as i can stuff my face with in a country that appreciates this delicious food source.

uperjer- Gawd, How gratefull will one be, when one is seriously ill or dying becuse of the massive amounts of toxins consumed from eating this "delicious food source"? The imports show Japans real intentions. A nation not to be trusted by the rest of the world. Japan you are digging your own grave, oh yes, just wait and see.

Asara;

Anybody who eat whale meat is cursed.

Yes, I believe I saw an episode of Scooby-Doo about this.

I am all against hunting whales for any purpose, but....

I admit that on one drunken final feast before I left Japan we ordered a whale steak at an Izakaya under the tracks somewhere in central Tokyo and.. and... I'm sorry but it was delicious. Just like a soft, juicy and quite rare steak.

Some other of the old-school JT posters were with me. You know who you are...

While the story horrifies friends and family back home, I think I have a better position to argue for it.

I've eaten it once and didn't like it either, but have no problem with whales being hunted so long as the ones being hunted are not threatened or endangered and there is an actual demand for it, which is debatable.

We should boycott Japanese products to show our disgust!!!

Well you can start by turning off your computer and cell phone!

Iceland has to sell this stuff because they have no other way to dispose of toxic waste. Japanese people on the other hand worry about Chinese chemicals, American beef, other imported food while stuffing thier faces with methyl-mercury-laced whale meat. This will just speed the extinction of the race.

Whale meat tastes delicious and is similar to many other meats on the market . However, I don't condone the killing of these beautiful creatures just for the sake of consumption.

It's high time that Japan stopped trying to fob off the world with bullshit excuses such as 'research purposes' when they go hunting whales too. As for Iceland - shame on you too for ignoring international outcry against the commercialism of these dwindling in numbers creatures.

uperjer- Gawd, How gratefull will one be, when one is seriously ill or dying becuse of the massive amounts of toxins consumed from eating this "delicious food source"? The imports show Japans real intentions. A nation not to be trusted by the rest of the world. Japan you are digging your own grave, oh yes, just wait and see.

wtf are you talking about? i've never been poisoned. whale is good stuff. get off your moral high horse and try to stop the death penalty if you're that concerned.

Gawd, How gratefull will one be, when one is seriously ill or dying becuse of the massive amounts of toxins consumed from eating this "delicious food source"?

Whale meat has no higher levels of toxins then a normal fish does. Personally, I'm all in favor of whaling, as long as the species isn't endangered. They're nothing more then cows of the sea, and believe me, I have no problem eating beef! I've had whale before too. It was good, though not great. Would have been better had it been prepared differently though.

I once tried the whale sashimi at Kujiraya in Shibuya, it was horrible! All bloody, pouring blood from the whale sashimi, it was very expensive and I prefer to have maguro sashimi anyday. SAVE THE WHALES!

Whether whale meat tastes good or not is beside the point. Find a way to kill whales humanely first, then start looking for recipes.

Whale meat has no higher levels of toxins then a normal fish does.

And what's your definition of a 'normal fish'? A swordfish, with an average of 222.3 mg of mercury in a 6 oz serving (nearly 6 x the EPS safety guideline)? Or Chilean sea bass, with an average of 68.1 mg per serving (1.75x)? Or tuna, with an average of 55.8 mg (1.5x)?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/11/23/MNGIO394FI1.DTL

Would you agree that jumping off the top of Sunshine 60 is no more dangerous than jumping our of a low-flying aeroplane?

I agree with OssanAmerica, Iceland needs the money - and Japan seems to want whale meat. So, it's fair trade. But American Indians also need the money. Not every tribe owns a casino. So, Japan should consider buying whale meat from American Indian nations in the United States, too.

"So, Japan should consider buying whale meat from American Indian nations in the United States, too."

I think your geography is slightly off.

Most whales are vegetarians. The toxin thing is very wrong. I actually love whale bacon,but it is too much fat these days. 25 years ago, bacon was wonderful. I do like whale blubber too, served with a dip of soy sauce and spicy mustard. Raw whale steaks are a bit too strong, and smell, but BBQ whale meat is heaven. If there are enough of them out there, then harvest them.

elbudamexicano

I think one of the reasons Japan makes such an issue about whaling is to divert attention from its hideous over-fishing of everything else, including tuna. It works too.