Why do people kill whale?

Answer 1

most Japanese people do not eat whale meat. Some fishing villages and towns are traditionally dependent on whale hunting yet their right to hunt was denied. Now depopulation of these areas is a serious problem in Japan. (Compare this to Inuits. they are allowed to hunt some 'vulnerable' species, yet these Japanese villagers are not even allowed to hunt 'low risk' whales.)

the Japanese, like any other sovereign countries, don't like to be told what they can do and what they cannot do. And the Japanese government simply cannot yield to the demand of anti-whaling countries, fearing that if japan gives this away, further imposition of the western value might follow. so the whaling issue itself is not that big deal. but what might follow scares the Japanese government. they cannot make such a diplomatic precedent.

the last point is why now? why are we seeing and getting so much information (despite the fact that some info are distorted) about this whaling issue now? let's just say that some organisations may be profiting from this anti-whaling campaign. some huge NGOs needs loads of money to operate... it is almost like a corporation. and they need donations. i suspect that shocking footages of dying whales and all that are surely useful to convince more people to donate. (note: green peace is not an anti-whaling organisation originally. they are supposed to be against issues of nuclear weapons and stuff.)

Answer 2

Because commercial whaling is a profitable business.