The Wire

With the withdrawal of the whaling fleet earlier this week, and following the embarrassing incident involving the Nisshin Maru, the Japanese whaling season has ended this year with a resounding splash. But while the ships may be gone, the controversy still remains. Today, Australian Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull welcomed the retreat of the Japanese fleet, saying that Australia will continue to fight for an end to scientific whaling programs. The Wire spoke with a Japanese correspondent for an insider’s look at the past and present of Japan’s whaling industry.