A Japanese whaling company on Tuesday unveiled a vending machine in Yokohama offering whale sashimi, whale steak and whale bacon.
President Hideki Tokoro, wearing a whale-shaped hat, greeted prospective customers at the company’s newest “unmanned store.” This is his three vending machines in Motomachi, a high-end shopping district that is home to his fashion boutiques and artisan bakeries.
The company recently opened two similar stores in Tokyo and plans to open a fourth in the western city of Osaka next month, hoping to expand to 100 stores over the next five years. increase.
“Many major supermarkets don’t use whale for fear of being harassed by anti-whaling groups.
“That’s why I’m opening a store in the hope that I can provide a place where people like that can eat.”
According to a company spokesperson, the products on sale mainly include whales caught in Japan, with prices ranging from 1,000 yen ($8) to 3,000 yen ($23).
Although the government claims that eating whale is an important part of Japanese culture, consumption peaked in the early 1960s and steadily increased as other protein sources became available and affordable. is decreasing to
According to government data, Japan’s whale meat consumption in 2021 will total just 1,000 tonnes, compared to 2.6 million tonnes of chicken and 1.27 million tonnes of beef.
At its peak in 1962, annual whale meat consumption was 233,000 tons.
Conservationists say the move to promote whale meat is a desperate attempt to revive interest in a struggling business.
“Most Japanese people have never eaten it. So how does it become a national culture if no one is actually participating?” Whale, a global charity said Catrin Matthes, Japan Policy Director for Dolphin Conservation (WDC).
The International Whaling Commission (the international body that oversees the conservation of whales) banned commercial whaling in 1986 after some species were near extinction.
However, Japan continued to hunt whales for research purposes. Withdrew from IWC in 2019 and resumed commercial whaling.
Some passers-by near the store said they would accept eating whale, but would not make any special effort.
“I don’t go out of my way to come (buy). I usually eat chicken,” says Urara Inamoto, a 28-year-old customer service worker.
Proponents of whale meat point to its higher protein content and lower carbon footprint compared to other meats.
