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Japan has commercial whaling after a hiatus of over three decades. Commercial whaling was in 1986 by an International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium. However, Japan from the IWC in December. Japan's government has all whalers will stay within 320 kilometers from its coast. The Japanese fisheries agency a quota for killing 227 whales every six months. In the first days of resumed whaling, whalers two minke whales, which were to the northern port of Kushiro. The whale meat was in Tokyo and for record prices. Eager restaurant owners up the meat at prices of up to $140 per kilo.

Japan has in the practice of whaling for centuries. Whale restaurant chef Mitsuo Tani up why he the return of commercial whaling was important. He said: "A country that does not its food culture has no future." He also the health benefits of whale meat. He said: "It is five times lower in calories than beef, 10 times lower in cholesterol, two times less fat than chicken and it's packed with iron. But abroad, people do not this." However, Japan's return to whaling has international outcry. The Humane Society Japan of starting a "new and shocking era of pirate whaling". It : "This a sad day for whale protection globally."