Japan, which has stirred up controversy for more than a decade by hunting minke whales ostensibly for scientific research, now plans to expand its hunt to include sperm and Bryde’s whales. The nation has submitted its proposal for an expanded hunt to the International Whaling Commission, which banned commercial whaling in 1986 but allows nations to catch whales for scientific purposes. Some of the meat from Japan’s “scientific” catches ends up in high-class Japanese restaurants. News of Japan’s plans is generating strong opposition from Australia and conservation groups.
