Japan's new whaling factory ship sets sail on first hunt

"This ship is like a factory. That's its most attractive feature," he told AFP in the city of Shimonoseki, which has a long history of whaling.

Whatever your position on whaling or vegetarianism , "factory processing of meat" and "attractive" are two things that should never go together.

I suppose this is the face of Japanese innovation in 2024.

Oh dear. School children will start to cry if you try to serve this a school meals.

That's where Japanese tax payer money goes, to subsidy whaling industry, with less demand more subsidy is needed.

https://en.mercopress.com/2022/08/02/japanese-whaling-industry-on-the-brink-of-collapse-less-demand-less-subsidies-for-whale-meat

https://wwf.panda.org/es/?167621/Norway-Japan-prop-up-whaling-industry-with-taxpayer-money

Eating whale meat, particularly from fin whales, raises significant health and environmental concerns.

Life Expectancy and Reproduction: Fin whales, like other large whales, have long life spans (up to 90 years) and slow reproductive rates. This means that overharvesting can quickly deplete populations, making it difficult for them to recover. Whales play critical roles in marine ecosystems, and their decline can have cascading negative effects.

Mercury Levels: Whales, being at the top of the marine food chain, accumulate high levels of mercury and other heavy metals through a process called bioaccumulation. This is particularly concerning for human health because mercury is a potent neurotoxin. Regular consumption of whale meat can lead to mercury poisoning, which can cause severe neurological and developmental problems, especially in pregnant women and young children.

Other Contaminants: Besides mercury, whale meat can also contain other pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, which are also harmful to human health. These substances are known to cause cancer and other serious health issues. Health Risks of Eating Whale Meat

Mercury Poisoning: Symptoms include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects, headaches, and cognitive and motor dysfunctions.

PCBs and Dioxins: These chemicals can lead to cancer, immune system damage, reproductive and developmental issues, and endocrine disruption.

Given these risks, many health experts and organizations advise against the consumption of whale meat. If consumed, it should be done infrequently and in very small amounts to minimize exposure to these harmful substances. Additionally, the ethical and environmental considerations of whaling make it a contentious practice, and many advocate for the protection and conservation of whale populations.

The chef fires up the grill and bastes a chunky whale steak, a Japanese delicacy that could soon appear on more plates nationwide

delicacy? I have never heard it described that way. In fact, eating kujira is usually accompanied by a frown and the words, “Oh … did I just eat whale?”

Farewelling a whaling ship like this is gross.

These days whenever whales open their mouths to feed on krill they also scoop up accumulated microplastics that humans have discarded into their habitat by the ton.

Yet another reason why it's a not a good time to be a whale.

GREED is the only reason why these MURDERS are still taking place.

Of all the meats and sea foods available in Japan few are still wanting to see these murders take place so they can feast on a dead whale.

I have opposed whaling all of my adult life. But killing whales is not murder which is reserved for humans.

Another heavily subsidized industry from tax payer money in an attempt to claim that eating whale meat is a part of Japanese culture. While a few areas have a long history of whale meat, the majority of Japanese never ate whale mean as a part of their daily culture. The only reason that some older Japanese remember eating it was because after WW2, whale meat was used by the U.S. to help feed a starving population. It was a cheaper protein source that was much needed at the time.

No surprise the whaling ship was built in Yamaguchi Prefecture, a political backwater and one the stronghold of Shinzo Abe.

This ship is awful for Japan'r global reputation.

The money used to build this ship is much needed elsewhere......but what does the LDP care.

Agree with most of the posters here.

Regression. Sad, but so predictable in Japan.

This is Japan in a nutshell.

I am sorry for that poor little child that had to send them a letter brainwashed by these mono ethnic xenophobics that keep this cruel and outdated practice in the name of unique Japanese tradition.

Sending out the Kangaroo for whales, not even pretending to go for "research". Who profits? Whale warehouses? All the arguments against it are well known. All this reprehensible ship does is bring shame on Japan.

The problem is not that the people of Japan are unaware of whale meat, but that their awareness of the real problems has been rising too far in a general rejection of whaling.

Quote: But in recent decades the country's appetite for whale meat has dwindled sharply, something the city's mayor Shintaro Maeda is determined to change. "Our biggest goal is to boost demand for whale meat and raise public awareness of it," he told AFP, describing whaling as "part of Japanese people's identity".

Maybe he should have said, "Our goal is to sidestep the issues, deflect and obfuscate public awareness and put people back into a blissful state of forgetfulness once more."

Not only is this industry barbaric and gory but the animals being murdered are extremely intelligent!

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/13/world/whale-communication-coda-alphabet-scn/index.html

Humans should being to realise that we are not the only sentient beings on this planet.

While I disagree with whaling on ethical and health grounds, as long as Japan only does it in their own waters, it is their choice. Once they have exhausted supply in their own waters though which won't take long I am 100% against doing it anywhere else especially Antarctica!

The large RESEARCH sign is missing from the side of the ship.

I look forward to enjoying some of the delicious MEAT!

Regression. Sad, but so predictable in Japan.

Sanctimonious, Sad but so predictable from a gaijin.

Norway. Iceland. The article mentions both. Norway takes more whales by far more than the Japanese do. Iceland is second; again, more than Japan and rather less than Norway. I've never seen any argument from any news site about any country other than Japan. Now, I know that blonde-blue eyed people are okay doing that, but it is hypocritical to hit Japan with all the venom here. Oh, and there are other countries that take whales, too. Not one peep from anyone about them. Only Japanese are the bad guys.

Just curious as to why this is a top story on JT but nowhere else.

Even if it**'s for free I will never eat it.**

There have been anti-whaling protests in Iceland and Norway. The majority of Icelanders don't eat whales. It's for the tourists or export.

Oh, I am mistaken. since Icelanders don't each (much) whale meat, well, then that's okay. They get a pass. If there are protests against it, the news is buried pretty well. But then, I'm not perfect. I defer to Mr. wallace. Again.

On the topic of the comments in this thread, I find the massive amount of downvotes to the anti-whaling remarks to be statistically exceptional, particularly when compared to the current voting tallies in the other threads.

I would like to think that a pro-whaling element is not involved, but it’s certainly hard to overlook the data.

A lot of money is spent to produce something that there is very litte demand for.

I have seen it for sale once only in Osaka, and never in the 6 or more supermarkets in my local area, which is a fishing industry locality.

Cant see the demand for this food, but can see the votes flowing back to the politicians who live in whaling towns.

Boo! Hiss! Another eason I'll never visti Yamaguchi.

Gene Hennigh: they catch it so they can sell it to Japan, idiot. everything about this story is BS, japans attitude to whaling is BS, Japans dinosaurs are fools, 'flipping the bird' to the rest of the world, well millions of enlightened, civilised, people all over the world return it and I personally hope your fancy ship sinks to the bottom of the ocean as quicklt as the Titanic did.

Asiaman7; you're right the voting is BS!!

When my son was in grade school he refuse to eat their lunch because it was whale meat, he's been watching documentaries that whale meat is pumped up with Mercury.

Now, I know that blonde-blue eyed people are okay doing that, but it is hypocritical to hit Japan with all the venom here.

Your statement is a bit racial/prejudicial. But I understand what you are trying to get at. I personally have no problem with cultures continuing to hunt food as they always have. But that's the thing. Japan traditionally doesn't have a strong cultural background in whaling. But the conservative base in Japan is trying to claim that it is part of all Japanese people's culture because they don't want to accept criticism of its current practices: which is that they are subsidizing whaling heavily with tax payer money for a population that largely doesn't eat it. Most of the meat caught from whaling seems to be going to making pet food.

Like most people, my family doesn't eat whale unless someone gives it to us. I object to anyone saying that we don't eat it because of "a lack of public awareness". We are perfectly capable of making our choices without being told what to do. No-one gets to criticize our "identity" based on what we eat or don't eat.

If whale meat is going to be given to people who do not choose what they eat, school children, people in old folks' homes, people in prison, etc. then it should all be tested and cleared for mercury content. Its a basic idea, but no-one should be force fed food that will damage their health.

Most Japanese argue that it’s tradition, yet those same Japanese people can’t remember the last time they ate whale meat.

The new whaling ship was built with taxpayers' money as the industry is subsidized by billions every season. The industry employs less than 1,000 workers. The taxpayer cost per worker is very high.

Where are people donating to Sea Shepard

リッチ

Where are people donating to Sea Shepard

You need to catch up on Sea Shepherd.

There have been many changes and new organizations.

little remains of the international fury seen a decade ago when whalers faced clashes with activists in the Antarctic.

The fury remains intact and as fierce as ever, however now that Japan hunts only in its own territorial waters it is better hiden from International consciousness, and greenpeace ships wont venture there to persue the hunters.

Hunting fin whales is a worrying development.

This practice of commercial hunting is from a bygone era and no longer needed or supported by rate of consumption in Japan. The reality is only a hanfull will go to food for human consumption with the rest going to pet food. This should not be continued so it can sustain the domestic pet food industry. Catch ten or so a year for the few remaining human consumers, and stop over killing for pets who are just as happy to eat anything.

Wow. The pro-whaling people are out in force down-voting like crazy. I'm against the govt. subsidizing the whaling fleet. The reason is that a market does not really exist, otherwise it wouldn't need subsidies. Several years ago a newspaper reported the existence of a dog food company at the whaling port that used as its main ingredient, whale meat surplus, of which there was quite a bit. Negative publicity forced it to shut down. Let's not hunt whales for pet food or political handouts.

"These days, Japan relies on imports for everything," he said, so "it's a good idea to catch whales so that we can supply our own food".

This argument is often touted. Protein supply sustainability in a volatile international trade market.

But Japan has millions of tons of available protein running around the country in the form of Boar - pork and Deer - venison.

Devoting the same ￥billions towards sustainable management and harvesting of these resources would benefit the environment, the local economies and reduce an ever increasing danger to people.

Their country..

Their culture..

Their traditions..

Their rules..

Get used to it..

TokyoLiving

Their country..

> Their culture..

> Their traditions..

> Their rules..

> Get used to it..

That does not make it acceptable. Many Japanese citizens are opposed to whaling. Whaling only survives because of taxpayer money. All taxpayers.

And when no one wants the steaks, except old men who wax nostalgic about having nothing to eat except whale blubber, they can force it on kids through school lunch programs! All at our expense!

Their country..

Their culture..

Their traditions..

Their rules..

Get used to it..

Would you say the same about some other countries gay couples prohibitions, whipping punishments, women denigration, lapidation, ..?

Now, I know that blonde-blue eyed people are okay doing that, but it is hypocritical to hit Japan with all the venom here. Oh, and there are other countries that take whales, too. Not one peep from anyone about them. Only Japanese are the bad guys.

Pretty sure there are people who oppose Norway and Iceland whaling on other websites. I'd say the reason for Japan being criticized by some posters above on "here" is that ( surprise surprise) this is an article about Japanese ship posted on Japan Today site.

Like most people, my family doesn't eat whale unless someone gives it to us.

Ate it couple of times and it was underwhelming , did not taste as good as other meat. Not surprised it isn't selling.

I object to anyone saying that we don't eat it because of "a lack of public awareness". We are perfectly capable of making our choices without being told what to do. *

Exactly, the whaling lobby has been "raising public awareness " about whale meat for decades. Either they are really incompetent at it or the meat is not the delicacy they claim and the Japanese are not convinced to buy it. I'd say it's both of these.

Awesome. I really like whale sashimi and other dishes with whale meat.

Is that the mother ship they built using money raised through the tax to rebuild Fukushima after the earthquake?

""I have opposed whaling all of my adult life. But killing whales is not murder which is reserved for humans.""

Whales are Mammals, therefore killing them is a MURDER.

When I was an ALT, it used to be served to us regularly as part of school meals and it was -by far- the most popular meal that was served. It's absolutely delicious.

an industry defended by the government as an integral part of Japanese culture

Harakiri is also a part of Japanese culture, so how about that?

I do not understand the mindset of the conservative Japanese: Continue murdering whales and dolphins now? Go and modernize your country!

There goes my tax money supporting an unnecessary and unprofitable industry. It tastes like sh*t anyway!

Somewhere I read that dolphins contain the most mercury, but I am not sure how true that is.

(Dolphins are classed as whales in Japan anyway, and the dolphin meat is described as 'whale meat' for school meals, so maybe it makes no difference.)