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Japan resumes commercial whaling for first time in 30 years
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![Japan resumes commercial whaling for first time in 30 years]()
Japan's last commercial hunt was in 1986 but it has continued whaling for what it says was research purposes. Japan resumes commercial whaling for first time in 30 years
Five Japanese whaling vessels have set sail for the country's first commercial hunt in decades, in defiance of international criticism.
The whaling ships have a permit to catch 227 minke, Bryde's and sei whales this year in Japanese waters.
Japan's last commercial hunt was in 1986 but it has continued whaling for what it says was research purposes.
It has now withdrawn from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) so is no longer subject to its rules.
IWC members had agreed to an effective ban on whale hunting, but Japan has long argued it is possible to hunt whales in a sustainable way.
The fisheries ministry has set a kill cap for the season of 52 minke, 150 Bryde's and 25 sei whales - a total of 227 animals.
Last year's catch quota, under its scientific programme, was 333 whales.
"The resumption of commercial whaling has been an ardent wish for whalers across the country," the head of the agency, Shigeto Hase, said at a departure ceremony in northern Kushiro for the small fleet.
He said the resumption of whaling would ensure "the culture and way of life will be passed on to the next generation."
