Japan’s whaling industry on the brink of collapse: Less demand, fewer subsidies for whale meat

The whaling industry in Japan is on the verge of collapse as the tastes of younger generations have rapidly changed and government subsidies are beginning to decline. The industry employed thousands of people in the decades immediately following World War II and supported entire communities during those tough economic times, today is losing the government subsidies that kept it afloat.

The whaling industry insists it is moving forward with plans to modernize operations, cut costs and encourage more people to eat whale meat, but environmental activists say they only delay the inevitable.

Three years ago, Japan grew frustrated with its inability to convince fellow IWC members that there are enough whales in the world’s oceans to warrant a return to commercial whaling.

At the same time, Japanese whalers have drawn international criticism for exploiting a loophole in IWC regulations that allowed “scientific whaling”. Japan harpooned hundreds of whales across the Pacific every year under the guise of studying their migration routes and obtaining data on whale numbers, health and reproductive patterns.

So that the “by-product” of this deadly research is not wasted, the Ministry of Fisheries was keen to point out that the whale meat was then sold.

While the industry was delighted that the government would once again allow them to engage in commercial whaling, there were concerns that state subsidies would be phased out and whaling companies would be forced to operate as n any other private sector company. If they failed to make a profit, they would go bankrupt.

The Japanese whaling fleet is operated by Kyodo Senpaku Co, the only whaling company off Japan. It has an annual quota of 52 minke whales, 150 Bryde’s whales and 25 sei whales in the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Kyodo Senpaku employs 170 people. It operates four vessels, including three hunting vessels, and the world’s only whaling factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, which processes carcasses.

According to the Fisheries Agency, the government has provided subsidies of about 5.1 billion yen (36.5 million euros) annually for “scientific whaling” to keep the industry afloat.

However, that amount was reduced to 1.3 billion yen after Japan quit the International Whaling Commission, the IWC, and last year it cut grants to a 340 million yen loan to be refunded.

Without subsidies, the equilibrium price for 1 kilogram of whale meat is 1,200 yen (€8.58). However, the 2,000 tons caught in 2020 were sold on average for only 1,100 yen

A key part of the industry’s modernization plan is the construction of a new mothership, work on which is expected to start next year and be completed in March 2024.

The 6 billion yen price tag should be offset if the government allows an expanded whale quota and the Japanese public can be persuaded to eat more whale meat, said Konomu Kubo, spokesman for Kyodo Senpaku.

“In addition to its excellent nutritional value, whale meat has health functions. as an anti-fatigue effect and helping to prevent dementia, according to the results of scientific studies »

“Also, in terms of taste and depending on how it is cooked, I think whale meat is a good food that is in no way inferior to beef or tuna. We believe that the implementation of various promotional activities will increase the value of whale meat and lead to increased sales,” he added.

Patrick Ramage, senior director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, rejects the whaler’s claim. “What we are witnessing is a dying industry sinking under its own weight.”

“Japan’s withdrawal from high seas whaling was a mortal blow, a recognition that even massive government subsidies could not keep it afloat. Thirty-six months later, even the most ardent advocates of commercial whaling see it as a charity affair, entirely dependent on taxpayer support,” he said.

“Consumer demand continues to fall while costs continue to soar,” he added.

“Even the Japanese Fisheries Agency has now abandoned any pretense that commercial whaling can be profitable. Over the past 60 years, consumption of whale meat in Japan has dropped by 99%. Spending billions of yen to build a new boat will not revive a dead industry in the water,” Ramage said.