Japan Whaling Firm Pins Hopes on Vending Machines to Revive Sales

Channel News Asia ^ | 25 Jan 2023

[nickcarraway]

A Japanese whaling firm unveiled vending machines offering whale sashimi, whale steak and whale bacon in Yokohama on Tuesday (Jan 24) in hopes of reviving sales of a food long in decline and shunned by many supermarkets.

Wearing a whale-shaped hat, Kyodo Senpaku President Hideki Tokoro greeted prospective customers at the firm's latest unmanned store - a trio of vending machines in Motomachi, an upmarket shopping district home to fashion boutiques and artisan bakeries.

The firm has recently set up two similar outlets in Tokyo, plans to open a fourth in the western city of Osaka next month, and hopes to grow to 100 locations over the next five years.

[PGR88]

[BenLurkin]

Is this like Gas Station Sushi?

[BenLurkin]

A customer displays "bacon" whale meat which he just bought, on the opening day of a shop by a Japanese whale-hunting company with vending machines, in Yokohama, Japan, Jan 24, 2023.
(Photo: Reuters/Androniki Christodoulou)

[Dr. Sivana]

vending machines offering whale sashimi, whale steak and whale bacon

They had me at Whale Bacon. I'd love to try a Whale BLT.

"There are many major supermarkets that are afraid of being harassed by anti-whaling groups so they won't use whale. [ . . . ] "Therefore, we are opening stores with the thought that we can provide a place where those people can eat."

Bonus points for creativity in providing a solution. I also love that the article closed by pointing out that whale has a low carbon footprint.

[RoseofTexas]

No. Leave the whales alone! This is one time I agree with those animal wackos. Other than that give me filet mignon, ribeye steak, and hamburger meat and for good luck throw a grilled salmon in there too.

[Larry Lucido]

"Is anybody here a marine economist?"

"Yes. I suggest we start selling whale skin singles. We can sell them in vending machines!"

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

I’m with you. I don’t see the point of this.

[Psalm 73]

Japanese sell EVERYTHING in vending machines.

[M Kehoe]

Hi.

Confession.

I’ve never burned whale oil nor had whale sushi or steaks.

I’m will to try it.

5.56mm

[TangoLimaSierra]

No. Leave the whales alone! This is one time I agree with those animal wackos.

I agree. I used to watch Whale Wars and laugh at the hippies.

Then I realized they were doing a good thing. And had the balls to go do something about it. More than I ever did.

[dfwgator]

Do they whale in Japanese waters or international waters.

I say they can get all the whales they want in Japanese waters, but that’s it.

[Boogieman]

“No. Leave the whales alone! This is one time I agree with those animal wackos.”

Yeah, I’m inclined to agree. Whales are pretty smart and actually have been known to help humans in distress from time to time. So I decline to eat them just like I do for eating cats, dogs, and horses. There are plenty of useless animals in the world to eat, we don’t need to eat the helpful ones.

[Boogieman]

“Do they whale in Japanese waters or international waters.”

They only hunt in their waters or their “exclusive economic zone” which goes some miles further out I believe.

[1Old Pro]

Leave the whales alone! This is one time I agree with those animal wackos.

I wouldn't rush into anything, we may need the oil for lamps soon.

[Dagnabitt]

I was in Norway in December. Whale meat sold in every grocery store. But barely. It's not that popular. Because cows taste better. Probably hanging on as another Norwegian state-subsidized enterprise.

[gundog]

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“Whale Bacon”

Sounds good!

[Ex gun maker.]

Yumm, Whale bacon!
I wonder if I could order some for import?
Probably not.
Only had it once while in Japan but would very much like more.
Like Alligator tail is a delicacy you will miss once you have had it.

[DUMBGRUNT]

Whale meat advocates point to its high protein content and low carbon footprint compared with other meats.

Soylent Green is also high protein content and low carbon footprint compared with other meats.