Japan has resumed commercial whaling for the first time in over thirty years, following the country’s 2018 decision to leave the International Whaling Commission. 227 vessels, which left the northern city of Kushiro on 1 July, are expected to kill Five of the mammals—including minke, Bryde’s and sei whales—by December, according to the fisheries agency. Officials are hoping that renewed whaling will increase interest in whale meat among Japanese consumers. Consumption of the meat has fallen from 200,000 tons a year in the 1960s to less than 5,000 tons annually over recent years.
Japan has resumed commercial whaling for the first time in over thirty years, following the country’s 2018 decision to leave the International Whaling Commission. Five vessels, which left the northern city of Kushiro on 1 July, are expected to kill 227 of the mammals—including minke, Bryde’s and sei whales—by December, according to the fisheries agency. Officials are hoping that renewed whaling will increase interest in whale meat among Japanese consumers. Consumption of the meat has fallen from 200,000 tons a year in the 1960s to less than 5,000 tons annually over recent years.