It seems most of us are on the same page and disagree with whaling as a whole.
The problem is the Antarctic Treaty and the contempt shown for it by Japan. Japan are a signatory to this treaty but use the scientific research loophole to get around it. An easy way of closing it is to limit the catch to say 2 whales thus making it economically unviable. Just needs some countries with enough gumption to do it. The whole area is not supposed to be used to commercially catch whales, krill or toothfish and has an agreed protocol should fur seal hunting resume. The shameful thing is it is all about profits not neccessary harvesting for survival. The arrogance of the Japanese (sea harvesting anything and everything),
South Africa, Canada, Alaska (seal hunting), South America (Toothfish) and many countries that long line fish always amazes me. They are not interested in sustainable fishing, just taking what they want at any cost.

A war with Japan, well we beat them once, maybe another go is in order to curb their greater than though attitude.

My wife used to live in Albany as a child and can clearly remember the whaling station in action and reckons it was one of the most horrific things she has seen as do her parents. The whales are not killed before being cut up, just immobolised, then there are the sharks following taking pieces out of them. Humane, I think not.
At least if I hunt a roo or rabbit it is dead before I butcher it and I only aim for head shots.
I am not against hunting for food (farming is a better, sustainable idea), but hunting animals with a low population and forcing them into extinction is just plain arrogant and stupid. I would like my grand kids (a long way off yet) to be able to see whales, seals, dolphins, tigers lions, elephant etc in the wild if they so wish.