Japanese support for whaling remains strong

By Julian Ryall in Tokyo
Feb 9, 2008

Two thirds of Japan supports the country's controversial whaling programme, while more than half want the animals' meat to appear on menus, according to new research.

'Shocking' pictures of Japanese whaling
Polling for the leading newspaper Asahi Shimbun suggested that the Japanese public was prepared to shrug off international criticism to support the continued "scientific research" by its whaling fleet. The survey came a day after the Australian government released pictures of a slain minke whale and its calf being hauled aboard a whaling ship.

Of the 56 per cent who support whales being slaughtered for food, the majority were men in their forties and above. Younger Japanese - particularly women - were opposed to the practice.

"The government tells us that there are plenty of whales out there and it is no more terrible than killing cows or pigs for food," said Masaaki Shigeno, a property dealer in his sixties.

"Whale has been an important part of our diet for hundreds of years, so it is part of our culture."

The figures surprised commentators yesterday. They may in part be a reaction to the condemnation that has rained down on Japan in recent weeks.