Focus on the BIG picture.
Wednesday, Sep 02, 2026
Outside the box.
Japan Expands Commercial Whaling to Include Fin Whales
Japan has decided to expand its commercial whaling activities to include fin whales, the second-largest whale species. This move, despite global criticism, has been met with opposition, especially from Australia and animal rights activists. Japan justifies the decision by claiming there are sufficient resources of fin whales.
Japan has extended its commercial whaling to include fin whales, the second-largest whale species, despite global criticism.
Last year, Japan killed 294 whales, a number it claims is sustainable.
Along with Norway and Iceland, Japan is one of only three countries that hunt whales commercially.
The decision to hunt 59 fin whales this year has been met with significant opposition, as fin whales are classified as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The move has drawn condemnation from Australia, whose environment minister Tanya Plibersek expressed deep disappointment and called for an end to all commercial whaling.
This development also coincides with the arrest of anti-whaling activist Paul Watson in Greenland under an international warrant issued by Tokyo.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission and continues to regard whales as a vital food resource.
Last year, Japan killed 294 whales, a number it claims is sustainable.
Along with Norway and Iceland, Japan is one of only three countries that hunt whales commercially.
The decision to hunt 59 fin whales this year has been met with significant opposition, as fin whales are classified as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The move has drawn condemnation from Australia, whose environment minister Tanya Plibersek expressed deep disappointment and called for an end to all commercial whaling.
This development also coincides with the arrest of anti-whaling activist Paul Watson in Greenland under an international warrant issued by Tokyo.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission and continues to regard whales as a vital food resource.