[omnius19]

I generally see that rational applied to whaling only when discussing indigenous populations such as the Inuit in Alaska. They are whaling in small boats and canoes using traditional techniques. Japan’s excuse for whaling is “scientific study.” I don’t think they are claiming to whale for cultural reasons, nor are they whaling for subsistence, which is allowed under international law.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aboriginal_whaling

[cavanasm]

No, they're explicitly dropping the scientific study excuse, and using culture now. They're also only going to be whaling in their economic exclusion zone now, rather than going potentially thousands of miles.

[el_nahual]

Not exactly meaningful when talking about highly migratory species!

[ngngngng]

And way less fun for making edgy TV shows about stopping them.

[roel_v]

No,they used to claim science, but the revent announcement is explicitly about it not being for research any more, and the ban on selling whale meat is also lifted.