This 170 page, illustrated work is a uniquely Japanese declaration of cultural values, beliefs and perspectives on their use of certain whales for food and handicrafts since prehistoric times. The book is a valuable resource for anyone with an interest in cross-cultural perspectives on matters of global conservation issues. It convincingly dispels the western, protectionist-drawn stereotypes of Japanese people as "rogue whalers" in this era of political correctness, and in contrast, illustrates both their cultural needs and their scientifically based concern for whales, their prey, and their habitats. Whales and the Japanese illustrates the dichotomy of cultural preferences about whaling; Japanese and their allies present whale use as not only scientifically supported but ecologically and culturally necessary, while the protectionist view is that the issue is a moral one, and that science alone is insufficient to justify resumption of commercial whaling. The book is thus a nice illustration of modernism vs. post-modern values, in all the arguments for and against whaling. Japan is proud of its scientific approach to whale management. The "others" are adamant that the anti-whaling arguments shall prevail, and the power struggle for votes in IWC is given from the Japanese perspective.

Six chapters thoroughly cover whale ecology, migration, diet, early Japanese social structure, early organized whale hunting, and the final development of modern whaling technology. "The History of Rampant Whaling" is a Japanese perspective on "the others'" international quest for whale oil well into the 20th century, with all the most active nations' exploits in excess listed for the Arctic, the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Antarctic. A recurrent theme contrasts Japanese "total utilization" of every part of each whale carcass, in contrast to behavior of those who killed whales only for the oil, and dumped meat, bones and organs overboard into the sea. The point is made that those responsible for whale species depletion are now those who wish to prevent whaling even if it should be scientifically justified.

Japanese perspectives on the history of the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling are highlighted, along with IWC-riven disputes over the scientific value of Japanese whale research and its potential for contributions to future whale and fishery management regimes. The scope and nature of Japanese scientific research whaling in the North Pacific and in the southern Ocean include an ecosystem perspective on data derived from prey species found in the stomachs of minke, brydes, sei and sperm whales. The authors note that the IWC Scientific Committee has endorsed the value of this research, in contrast to those who claim it has no value for the science of whale management. The book has been included in the library collection of the IWC. Whales and the Japanese shall be immediately available through whaling historian Klaus Barthelmess, for those attending the New Bedford Kendal Whaling Museum's Whaling History Symposium October 16 and 17. Subsequently, it shall be offered on Amazon.com USA, and through selected university libraries and bookstores.