Japan's Whale Research Programme

Japan's Whale Research Programme remains a flashpoint in global conservation politics. For decades, Japan harvested over 1,200 whales annually in the Southern Ocean under the guise of scientific research, drawing fierce condemnation from the International Whaling Commission and environmental groups. Critics argue the program was commercial whaling in disguise, as whale meat worth $30 million per year entered Japanese markets. This policy is less controversial than #5 Coral Reef Genetic Modification in ecological risk but triggers stronger diplomatic outcry—over 40 nations have formally protested. After withdrawing from the IWC in 2019, Japan’s whaling fleet now operates in its coastal waters, boasting a 60% higher catch rate than before.