A minke whale, which was caught off the coast of Kushiro, Hokkaido, on Sept. 9, is landed at a fishing port in the city.

The meat is from minke whales the local whalers had caught just off the coast of Kushiro.

Last year whale meat returned to public school lunches in Kushiro, a former whaling hub, for the first time in 38 years as part of the campaign to promote whale meat.

The whale curry was to be served at elementary schools in the town Sept. 13, and whale meat croquettes are planned in January.

Japan started a seasonal hunt off Kushiro's coast Sept. 9 as part of a research program, which whaling opponents say is little more than a thinly veiled resumption of commercial whaling.

During the hunt, local whalers plan to catch 60 minke whales under the program approved by the International Whaling Commission.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 17, 2005
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