A glance at Japan’s whaling industry
Since Japan’s departure from the International Whaling Commission in 2019, Japan has set its own whaling quotas, much to the dismay of conservationists worldwide. This gives whalers permission to hunt hundreds of whales in Japan’s domestic waters. 270 whales were killed last year and are permitted to kill 347 whales this year. Whalers target Sei whales, Bryde’s whales, and Minke whales—all creatures of immense beauty and importance to our oceans. Alarmingly, Japanese whalers are the only ones who hunt Sei whales, which are listed as endangered by the IUCN.
Whales are hunted, killed, yet are rarely eaten
The demand for whale meat in Japan is minuscule. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan, whale meat consumption levels are so low that they show up as “zero” in official statistics. Despite this, a small group of whalers persist in hunting whales.
Source: Jonathan Austin Daniels Getty Images Signature
The role of ANA
The connection is stark and startling. ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways (ANA), offers whale products through Japan’s hometown tax system, which is featured on its website. This includes whale meat sets, whale bacon, and pickled whale. Some meat is sourced from Taiji, the town known for its harrowing dolphin hunts.
ANA claims to be committed to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. ANA has a target to ‘ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild species are sustainable, safe and legal’ in the ANA Biodiversity Policy. Yet it is supporting whaling by offering whale meat. Whaling receives widespread international condemnation due to both ethical and environmental concerns.
By dropping whale meat, ANA can play a powerful role in protecting majestic whales.
Source: Robert Gilhooly
The power of public perception
A brand’s reputation is one of its most valued assets, built on customer perception. As travelers who may have used ANA’s services, your voice is critical. You can influence the airline to reconsider its offerings and, in doing so, protect the very creatures it indirectly endangers.
Sign the petition asking ANA to drop whale meat today
Source: Serhii Yevdokymov
Ask ANA to drop whale meat
By advocating for the end of whale meat offerings by ANA, we not only protect these magnificent whales but also bolster the airline’s commitment to sustainability.
In the vast blue expanse of our oceans, the whales continue their age-old sojourns. We can use our voices to make a relatively simple ask of ANA – to drop whale meat from its website. Together, let’s create a world free from whaling.
Sign the petition asking ANA to drop whale meat today
