[GoNative]

For me the real interesting issue in all this is why does Japan continue whaling. Commercially the industry is a dud and only survives with huge government subsidies. There is only a very small market for whale meat in Japan, way smaller than the amount they catch each season. I doubt very much if most Japanese would even support the industry if they had any facts on it. There is almost universal condemnation from other countries for the continuation of the industry. The industry doesn't really employ that many people and few if any communities are totally reliant on the revenue from the industry. The 'science' angle of the industry is just a complete joke. The cultural angle in my opinion is also a joke considering that most of the catch is taken from the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. There is nothing cultural about that whatsoever.
So why continue? What is the benefit for Japan?

Personally I believe it's politically expediant as it's a very simple way for the government to pander to extreme right wing and nationalist groups in the country. They love nothing more than telling foreigners to go get stuffed and the whaling industry is symbolic of this for them. I truly think if there wasn't such international condemnation then the industry just would have died the natural death of any other unprofitable inddustry. But it's now expedient to prop it up to appease the extremists for a few extra votes come election time.