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Why do the Japanese eat whale meat?
As Japan struggled to get back on its feet after World War II, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, head of the Allied occupying forces, encouraged people to eat whales as a vital source of protein. By 1962, Japan’s annual consumption of whale meat had grown to 233,000 metric tons, a quarter of its total meat consumption.
Why does Japan love whaling?
Japan maintains that annual whaling is sustainable and necessary for scientific study and management of whale stocks, though the Antarctic minke whale populations have declined since the beginning of the JARPA program and those whales killed have shown increasing signs of stress.
What does the whale symbolize in Japanese culture?
The whale to the Japanese in ancient times was a kind of fish that was thought to be brave and great. Today, along with all other marine resources, whales continue to be viewed as a source of food to be used sustainably.
What are the benefits of eating whale meat?
It is also a great source of vitamins A, B, D and E. Blubber contains high levels of antioxidants and represents the most important source of vitamin C in the Arctic, and whale mattak (skin) is rich in vitamin A and C, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin as well as being a major source of antioxidants and selenium.
What do the Japanese do with whale blubber?
Whaling is illegal in most countries, however Iceland, Norway, and Japan still actively engage in whaling . Over a thousand whales are killed each year for their meat and body parts to be sold for commercial gain. Their oil, blubber, and cartilage are used in pharmaceuticals and health supplements.
Do Japanese people not like whales?
If there is a whale meat shortage, the price should be soaring. But according to Junko it is not. “The fact is, most Japanese people do not eat whale meat,” she says. “Consumption has been falling for years,” and adds that “even as the amount of whale meat decreases, the price doesn’t go up”.
Is it illegal to eat whale in the US?
While it is considered a delicacy in Japan and some other countries, meat from whale — an endangered species — cannot be sold legally in the United States.