This photo released by Shimonoseki City, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Maintenance Division shows an auction selling fresh meat of fin whales at a fish market in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi prefecture, southern Japan Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Shimonoseki City, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Maintenance Division via AP)

This photo released by Shimonoseki City, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Maintenance Division shows fresh meat of fin whales displayed on tray at a fish market in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi prefecture, southern Japan Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Shimonoseki City, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Maintenance Division via AP)

This photo released by Shimonoseki City, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Maintenance Division shows an auction selling fresh meat of fin whales at a fish market in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi prefecture, southern Japan Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Shimonoseki City, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Maintenance Division via AP)

The Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, prepares to depart from its home port in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on May 21, 2024, for its inaugural whaling voyage. (Kyodo News via AP)