Commercial whaling has resumed in Japan after 31 years, as supporters argue that hunting and eating whale meat is an important part of the country's culture.
Japan's last commercial hunt was in 1986, and while whaling has been allowed in the interim, this was for research purposes only.
The country has now withdrawn from the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which has banned whale hunting, but as Japan is no longer a member, it doesn't have to follow the ban.
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Instead, Japan says that it will hunt sustainably, giving whaling ships permission to catch 227 whales this year in Japanese waters.
Five Japanese whaling vessels today embarked on the first commercial hunt in 31 years, with photos showing their first catch: a minke whale.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters in Tokyo that he hoped the resumption of commercial whaling would carry the tradition to "the next generation".
"We hope commercial whaling will be on track as soon as possible, contribute to local prosperity and carry on Japan's rich whale culture to the next generation," he said.
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The joy was echoed by Yoshifumi Kai, head of the Japan Small-Type Whaling Association, who said: "My heart is overflowing with happiness, and I'm deeply moved. People have hunted whales for more than 400 years in my hometown."
Conservation groups such as Greenpeace have condemned the whaling industry but are not thought to be taking action against Japan. In a statement in December after Japan withdrew from the IWC, Sam Annesley, executive director at Greenpeace Japan, said that the country was "out of step with the international community , let alone the protection needed to safeguard the future of our oceans and these majestic creatures".
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"The government of Japan must urgently act to conserve marine ecosystems, rather than resume commercial whaling," he said. "As a result of modern fleet technology, overfishing in both Japanese coastal waters and high seas areas has led to the depletion of many whale species.
"Most whale populations have not yet been recovered, including larger whales such as blue whales, fin whales and sei whales."
While condemning the hunting of whales, many experts believe that whaling will eventually disappear as demand for whale meat declines.
Featured Image Credit: Masanori Takei/AP/Press Association ImagesTopics: Life News
