Japanese whaling refers to the practice of hunting whales in Japan, which has a long history dating back centuries. While commercial whaling was largely banned by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986, Japan has continued to hunt whales under the guise of scientific research. This has led to international criticism and protests from conservation groups and other countries. In 2019, Japan officially withdrew from the IWC and resumed commercial whaling, allowing the country to hunt certain species of whales for domestic consumption. The practice has sparked ongoing debates about whale conservation, marine ecosystems, and the cultural significance of whaling in Japan.