Number of whales killed Japan 2014-2023

In 2023, Japan took down 294 whales through commercial whaling, a decrease compared to 640 hunted whales in 2018. 
Whaling in Japan is subsidized by the government and was conducted under the scientific research provision in agreement with the International Whaling Commission (IWC) up until mid-2019. After withdrawing from the IWC, Japan resumed commercial whaling in its territorial waters.

 Japan’s whaling history 

Japan looks back on a long history of hunting whales across its shores. According to archaeological finds, hard-harpooning whaling started in 12th century Japan and organized offshore hunts emerged four centuries later. Traditional whaling was limited to a few coastal areas and served as a subsistence purpose for seaside villages. Modern-day, industrial whale hunts conducted by Japanese vessels expanded rapidly outside the country’s territorial waters and whale sanctuaries protected by other nations were disregarded.
Japan’s Antarctic whaling program was declared illegal by the UN Court of Justice in 2014. In response, the Japanese government announced their withdrawal from the IWC to resume commercial whaling in the country's territorial waters. However, Japanese vessels continued to hunt in domestic waters as well as in Antarctica, allowing the hunt of three species.

 The future of whaling in Japan 

Large scale, commercial whaling in Japan expanded after World War II when the country’s supply of animal protein was low. As an island nation, the Japanese fishing industry serves as a major supplier for the country’s animal product demand. In contemporary Japan, however, whale meat became a niche product. As eating habits change, awareness of sustainable fishing rises among Japanese consumers. It may be a slow shift, but the Japanese whaling industry might become extinct due to a disappearing demand in its home market.