Making of Scientific Whaling

Whaling is one of the longstanding environmental controversies that has sharply divided perceptions and allegiances on a global scale. Despite the international moratorium on commercial whaling, Japan remains one of the few nations that continues to hunt and consume whales for food under the name of "scientific research." Yet, given the highly polarized and value-laden nature of this environmental controversy, Japan's resolute pro-whaling stance appears puzzling for whaling has become an economically, socially, and politically insignificant industry within the country.