Japan will add large fin whales to its list of commercial whaling species, government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Thursday, five years after leaving an international body that regulates the commercial hunt of the marine mammals.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zones in 2019, on withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
This week, its Fisheries Agency sought public comment on a draft revision of its aquatic resource control policies that would allow commercial catching of fin whales.
The Japanese government will continue to Japan caught a total of 294 minke whales, Bryde’s whales and sei whales last year, said the Fisheries Agency, which currently limits commercial whaling to the three relatively minor species.
Whale consumption in Japan peaked in the early 1960s but did not become widespread as other meat became more easily available.
Japan drew criticism from environmental groups for launching what it called scientific research whaling in 1987, following an IWC regulation that banned commercial whale hunts.
"Whales are important food resources and should be sustainably utilised, based on scientific evidence," said Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary, referring to widening the allowable catch to include fin whales.
@Politic4lLilyUnity2wks2W
What kind of a Japanese wants to go out killing whales to eat them? With many business trips to Asia, I have never meet any Japanese person who has told me that he has ever eaten whale, or had any desire to eat whale. To kill whales without purpose is appalling.
I was at a sushi restaurant just outside of the main fish market in Tokyo. Whale was on the menu. This was 10 years ago. I was surprised. Was told it was common but not advertised.
@RightistVicunaNo Labels2wks2W
The function is to provide employment to a very, very small number of whalers a couple of support vessels and a minimal number of people ashore. However, these people faithfully, regularly and loyally vote for the LDP, Japan's ruling party for nearly 68 of the 73 years since the end of WWII.
@D3legateMacawRepublican2wks2W
Somehow they always work climate change into the conversation.
@CockatooArielGreen2wks2W
As the climate crisis gets worse food supplies get impacted we’re gonna see more and more stuff like this
@JovialCockatooGreen2wks2W
"...Japan would ensure whale populations remain sustainable..." Seriously? In whose universe? They'd eat the last member of a Cetacean species with only regret it wasn't pregnant when slaughtered.
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
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