There is no shortage of controversy when it comes to the practice of whaling. Japanese whalers have had a spotlight shone on their activities over the past year as activists belonging to groups such as Greenpeace make aggressive attempts to stop it.

It seems even those living in Japan are divided on the topic. When posed with the question "Do you eat whale meat?" some said they have tried it before (or still do when they can find it) while others express disgust at the thought of it.

Takashi M.
Entrepeneur, 36
I've eaten it three times. It's not so delicious. I don't think many people like it. I don't know why it's still whaled, but one reason is tradition. Other countries don't have a right to say Japan can't hunt them.

T. Ishige
Television, 31
When I was little I had it a lot in school. My mother never cooked it when I was young, so it's just not something I would think of eating. Maybe she didn't like it, but also it's hard to find in stores.

Jimmy Utley
Graduate student, 26
I've never had it, but I'm a bit suspicious of strong anti-whaling views, as I'm not sure many species are actually endangered. It seems hypocritical; it's not more wrong to kill whales than other animals.

M. Taraka
Student, 22
I have never eaten whale meat, and I don't want to eat it either. I don't agree with whaling, which many people think is strange coming from a Japanese person.

Clearly the responses run the gamut, but it's interesting to hear how those who live in Japan actually feel about it. Overall it's a pretty casual response given the ire the topic draws elsewhere. These are the types of responses you might expect if you asked some people in North America whether they enjoy steak. Though some may express that they don't care for it or find it expensive, you likely won't cause controversy by suggesting it. Whaling is a centuries-old activity in Japan, so to them the idea of consuming whale may not be any more abnormal that the suggestion of a beef burger in North America.

» The Japan Times Online