Scenes in Kushiro: A Grateful City, a Watching World as Japan Resumes Commercial Whaling
2019-12-12
The five whaling boats chugged out into the bumpy waters off of eastern Hokkaido, a tiny armada under gray skies and the gaze of the world.
An Argument for Sustainable Whaling: The Case of Alaska’s Indigenous Peoples
2019-12-12
On the surface, the indigenous peoples of Alaska continue to engage in whaling activities without any problems. But in actuality, I believe they face many real problems. To date, Japan has continued to support indigenous whaling within the IWC.
Blanket Ban on Commercial Whaling A Misguided Way of Protecting Species
2019-12-12
While they are free to believe that “all whales” should be protected, perhaps what they are actually trying to protect is the fantasy of the symbolic wild animal. If they genuinely intend to protect “endangered species,” then the actions required to do so do not involve a ban on whaling. Science is meant to be utilized to solve real-life problems, not fantasies.
Untangling the Myth Behind the Whaling Controversy: A Director’s Take
2019-12-12
I still remember the taste of hard-to-swallow fried whale meat served in Japanese school lunches. I have no nostalgia for it, but when I come across news that “Japan is doing it again” — committing supposed whale-hunting atrocities — the taste comes back.
Don’t Let the Anti-Whaling Zealots Impose Their Hypocrisy on Japan
2019-12-12
The decision to withdraw from the IWC offers Japan a golden opportunity to awaken from its postwar illusions about international organizations. Undoubtedly, Japan will be bombarded with criticism by the anti-whaling countries and radical environmental groups.
Sticky
A Film 27 Years in the Making Captures Life in Whale-Hunting Indonesian Village
2019-12-12
In the great ocean, a lamafa (whale hunter) engages in battle with a whale to humbly and gratefully take its life. This intense scene was captured by Japanese photographer Bon Ishikawa,
![[Mythbusters] White Makes Right When It Comes to Whaling](https://featured.japan-forward.com/whalingtoday/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/12/mythbusters-white-makes-right-when-it-comes-to-whaling-hero.jpg)
[Mythbusters] White Makes Right When It Comes to Whaling
2019-12-12
Again, there was no mention of Iceland and Norway, even though whaling in their exclusive economic zone is precisely what Japan has said it will do.
The Forgotten War of the Whales
2019-12-12
Another Antarctic whaling season will soon end, but most in Japan remain unaware of the fierce fight between the conservation ships operated by Sea Shepherd Australia, and Japanese whaling vessels in the icy waters of the southern oceans.
Science vs Politics: Busting Myths and Biases About Japan’s Whaling
2019-12-12
From the point of view of countries that support sustainable whaling, it is very difficult to understand why hunting is allowed for animals such as deer and kangaroos, but forbidden for whales.
With Japan’s Withdrawal, What Lies Ahead for the International Whaling Commission’s Scientific Committee?
2019-12-12
Every year, the SC meets in the spring/early summer for three weeks. The agenda for the annual meeting is decided based upon the individual subjects chosen by the subcommittees in their fields of expertise. Out of this, the SC usually presents a set of scientific recommendations relevant to stock management to the Commission Meeting (CM) of the IWC.