Japan Auctions Fresh Fin Whale Meat for the First Time in Decades: A Controversial Return to Tradition
For the first time in nearly half a century, Japan has auctioned fresh fin whale meat, marking a significant moment in the country’s whaling industry. At the auction, held Thursday, meat from fin whales caught off Hokkaido fetched prices as high as 200,000 yen ($1,312) per kilogram (2.2 lbs), underscoring both the rarity of the product and the economic pressures facing the industry.
For the first time in nearly half a century, Japan has auctioned fresh fin whale meat, marking a significant moment in the country’s whaling industry. At the auction, held Thursday, meat from fin whales caught off Hokkaido fetched prices as high as 200,000 yen ($1,312) per kilogram (2.2 lbs), underscoring both the rarity of the product and the economic pressures facing the industry.
A Return to Commercial Whaling
This auction is a result of Japan’s expanded commercial whaling program, which resumed in 2019 after the country withdrew from the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The IWC had banned the hunting of fin whales in 1976 due to dwindling populations. Now, Japan’s Fisheries Agency claims that stock surveys indicate sufficient recovery of fin whales in the North Pacific, allowing the addition of this species to its legal hunting list alongside minke, Bryde’s, and sei whales.
During the current season, 30 fin whales were caught—half of the allowable quota of 60. Japan also set a combined catch quota of 379 for the other three species. The government hopes this revival will inject new life into an industry struggling with declining demand and high operational costs.
The Auction and Its Implications
At auctions in Sapporo and Shimonoseki, about 1.4 tons of fresh fin whale meat were sold. Among the cuts, the tail meat—known as "onomi" and prized as a delicacy—commanded the highest prices. However, it remains unclear whether this auction represents genuine market demand or a symbolic attempt to reinforce the industry’s significance.
City official Ryo Minezoe remarked on the perceived quality of fin whale meat, noting, “We hear the larger the whale, the better the taste,” though he admitted he hadn’t tasted it himself. Historically, whale meat was a vital source of affordable protein in post-World War II Japan. Today, consumption has plummeted to just 2,000 tons annually, far below its 1962 peak of 233,000 tons.
Challenges Facing the Industry
Despite Japan’s efforts to reinvigorate whaling, the industry faces significant obstacles. Whale meat is now seen as a delicacy rather than a staple, limiting its accessibility and relevance. Moreover, its price often exceeds that of other meats, making it less appealing to modern consumers.
Experts also point to the industry’s reliance on government subsidies, which amount to millions of dollars annually. Nobuhiro Kishigami, a professor specializing in indigenous whaling, questions whether the industry can sustain itself without these subsidies. “This is supposed to be business,” he said. “If it is not accessible and delicious... it won’t sell if it is not cheap and good.”
Conservation Concerns and Criticisms
The return to fin whale hunting has reignited opposition from conservation groups. Critics, such as Nanami Kurasawa of the Dolphin & Whale Action Network, argue that Japan has not conducted sufficient research on whale populations. “They had gone nearly extinct after overhunting decades ago,” she said, emphasizing the need for thorough stock investigations before resuming large-scale hunts.
Even within Japan, there is a divide over the role and relevance of whaling in contemporary society. While it remains a cultural and economic staple in certain whaling towns, it holds little significance for urban populations, where whale meat is rarely consumed.
A Controversial Path Forward
Japan’s decision to resume and expand commercial whaling reflects a deep commitment to preserving what it sees as a traditional industry. Yet, the future of whaling remains uncertain, with market demand, ethical debates, and environmental concerns all presenting formidable challenges.
As the industry navigates these waters, the auction of fin whale meat serves as both a symbolic and practical test of whaling’s viability in modern Japan—a nation at the crossroads of tradition and global conservation efforts.
Sources: