Why the Japanese eat whale meat

Japan has a long history of whaling, and their whaling tradition dates back hundreds of years. In the early days, they surrounded the whales in a combined effort, and then inserted spears or wooden plugs into the whales' blowholes, and due to technological and condition constraints, the number of whales captured in those days was more limited.

By the 20th century, whaling off the coast of Japan was further developed with the introduction of steamships and popguns. By 1934, Japan had expanded its whaling to Antarctica. Whales were an important source of meat for Japanese citizens during and after World War II. In 1947, whale meat accounted for almost half of all animal protein consumed in the country. To this day, whales remain an important part of the Japanese diet.