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Japan
For the 2008/09 austral summer the Japanese Government allocated its Antarctic whaling fleet quotas of 850 +/- 10% (or up to 935) minke whales and 50 fin whales, in accordance with its so-called scientific whaling program. In April 2009 the fleet returned to Shimonoseiki with a reported catch of 679 minkes and one fin whale. All were of course taken within the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.
The Japanese whaling fleet is now nearing the end of its 2010 Antarctic whaling voyage, having taken an as yet unconfirmed number of minke and fin whales.
Anti-whaling activist organisation Sea Shepherd once again played a significant part in reducing the catch, while poor weather conditions are said to have also contributed to the 2010 "scientific parmit" quota not having been filled.
As is the case with Norway, Japan is rumoured to already have stockpiles of frozen whale meat as a result of reduced market demand.
Further information can be found under "Whaling today" and "Scientific Permit Whaling".
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AWCS
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