In pictures: Japan resumes commercial whaling after 3 decades

SUMMARY

Japan is resuming commercial whaling for the first time in 31 years, a long-cherished goal seen as a largely lost cause. While the resumption of commercial whaling is condemned by many conservation groups, others see it as a face-saving way to let the government's embattled and expensive whaling program gradually succumb to changing times and tastes.

By APJul 1, 2019 4:51:26 PM IST (Updated)

A whaling boat leaves a port in Kushiro, Hokkaido, northern Japan. Japan is resuming commercial whaling for the first time in 31 years, a long-cherished goal seen as a largely lost cause. (Masanori Takei/Kyodo News via AP)

Whaling boats embarked Monday on their first commercial hunts since 1988, when Japan switched to so-called research whaling but will stay within the country's exclusive economic waters. (Masanori Takei/Kyodo News via AP)

Japan's six-month notice to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission took effect Sunday. (Kyodo News via AP)

The Fisheries Agency said the catch quota through the end of this year is set at 227 whales, fewer than the 333 Japan hunted in the Antarctic in recent years. (Kyodo News via AP)

As the boats left port, whalers, their families and local officials in two major whaling towns, Shimonoseki and Kushiro, celebrated the fresh start, hoping for a safe return and a good harvest. (Kyodo News via AP)

Members of civic groups shout slogans during a rally against Japan's commercial whaling near the Japanese embassy in Seoul. While the resumption of commercial whaling is condemned by many conservation groups, others see it as a face-saving way to let the government's embattled and expensive whaling program gradually succumb to changing times and tastes. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)