Explained: What’s behind Japan’s support of whaling? | Explained News, The Indian Express

Explained: What’s behind Japan’s support of whaling? | Explained News, The Indian Express

By Reuters |Tokyo |Published: June 24, 2019 2:02:58 pm

Explained: What’s behind Japan’s support of whaling?

After roughly 30 years of what it has called scientific research whaling, which saw several hundred minke whales taken annually in the Antarctic and North Pacific, Japan in December announced it would leave the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

Members of civic groups shout slogans during a rally against Japan’s commercial whaling near the Japanese embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, June 19, 2019. About 20 members of civic groups demanded to stop the Japan’s resumption of commercial whaling. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Japan has for decades been steadfastly defiant about hunting whales despite widespread anger, including from key allies like the United States.