Why the Japanese fishermen keep fishing whales?

Answer 1

Actually yesterday I saw sliced whale bacon sold at a supermarket in Tokyo, packaged in plastic and piled up in a corner along with tuna and smoked salmon... Last month I gave it a try at a pub for the first time in a decade or so. It was not so bad. However now that I know the extent of the outcry from around the world, I'm sure I won't have the nerve to try it anymore for the rest of my life! After all, after decades of not fishing them they've been relegated to just another delicacy like sea urchins or sea cucumbers, etc. Times have changed and no Japanese would starve to death even if we don't hunt them.

Answer 2

Technically speaking Japanese fishermen do NOT fish whales. They fish fish. Whaling is done under the guise of scientific research and it's done by professional whalers not fishermen.

As to why Japan keeps whaling, it's too keep the industry afloat. Whalers have a strong influence in the government and they are backed by the conservative rightwings who claim whaling is long Japanese tradition. This is partially true but in the coastal areas. They did not hunt whales in Antartic back in the days of the samurai.

Whale meat only really became widespread thru-out the country after WWII when beef was too expensive. Whale was a cheaper alternative to beef in the post-war era. This is one reason why a number of people of the older generations don't like whale today because it reminds them of when they were poor - it's the same with brown rice. Whale was also put in school lunches. The whaling industry was huge at this time and understandably relunctant just to close up shop. Too much money and too many jobs on the line.

The demand for whale overall is not very high. It varies from area to area.

I've written a bit on white elephant of the whaling industry on my blog that may be a bit more informative:
http://samuraidave.wordpress.com/2007/02/01/japan-to-re-assess-whaling-ban-for-their-white-elephant-whaling-industry/

Answer 3

Two reasons that don't actually have anything to do with food-The rural areas that depend on whaling send members to the Diet out of proportion to their populations. The LDP usually wins those seats, and they plan to keep it that way. From that perspective, Japanese whaling is parliamentarians responding to their constituents and one example of the politicians actually sticking up for the little guy. The parties on the left don't want to bash whaling because the whalers are obviously working class folk, and the whale-huggers are a little on the bourgeoisie side for their tastes.

The other reason is that the Japanese government doesn't want to be seen to cave in to pressure from outside. The more shrill the anti-whaling crowd gets, the more payoff there is for the politicians who defy them. The fact is, the Japanese government could give enough to pension off every single whaler and probably still spend less than what lobbying at the IWC costs. There are few people who go out of their way to eat whale, so I doubt it would be missed very much on the market. In the end, the whalers and the people who oppose them are co-dependant. I just hope the humans on both sides stay safe out on the water.

Answer 4

Neither the seats of parliamentarians nor foods are cardinal reason.
Japan is (and probably other whaling nations also) trying to protect whaling culture as A Nation.

There is a section called "Fishing ground - resource section" in Fisheries Agency of The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. They are working for whole whaling issues.
Mr. Masayuki Komatsu, his nick name is The nail-hard negotiator, is one of the famous persons in the section of this agency.
He has been fighting against non-whaling nation's illogical claims and irrational demands for long time (probably over 20 years).
IWC conference didn't give Japan (him) a chance to do announce the data which Japan hold before, even though other non-whaling nations could have enough time to advance their opinions. He finally took the mic and said "We (whaling nations) have the right to tell why we are doing whaling.". He says this kind of "un-fair" thing happens often in the conference.

People should read his book first before to talk about this issue (probably getting his English translation is not easy though).
http://www.amazon.com/truth-behind-whaling-dispute/dp/B0006E8KU2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196864787&sr=8-1
http://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/whale/document/whalebk.pdf

And guys, don't forget Japanese people were eating and consuming whales even in the Jomon era. Lots whale bones are excavated with Jomon people's bone.

Answer 5

Japanese fishermen keep fishing for whales because unlike other sources of food ALL parts of a whale are useable. There is no waste. For example for meat and oil etc.

Answer 6

The so talked approximately as moratorium would not relatively defend the sea existence of Earth, it would not even furnish any inspection controls on the fishing fleets that pirate the seas. particular the regulations ought to be set in place on particular breeds of sea inhabitants. yet a greater heavily inspection gadget additionally should be put in place. The Coast defend ought to deliver one in each of their cutters alongside with the fishing fleet while they circulate out. Spartawo...

Answer 7

Tradition and stubborn pride mostly. Japan is a seafaring nation with a long history of whaling. They also have a lot of people to feed.

Answer 8

The Japanese have the longest lifespan of any race in the world, and that's odd since the rest of Asia has a very short lifespan.

Anyway, whalemeat is said to be the essence of healthy eating, and selfishly they eat the meat for that very reason, despite whales being endangered.

Answer 9

Same reason Canadians club baby seals.

Answer 10

supply and demand.
remember the cow (although not endangered ok i DO KNOW) is sacred in some arts of the world.. you think they think we´re animals for eating beef?