As one commentator, Michael Cucek, pointed out (0), this could result in less whales being killed. There isn't that much of a market for whale in Japan and whaling operations have mostly been subsidised for "research" purposes.
(0)https://mobile.twitter.com/MichaelTCucek/status/107560724374...
That is one of the stupidest parts of all about this whole affair, nobody even wants whale meat in Japan, so the entire thing is just a senseless stunt.