Whales are extremely intelligent and at one point the "hundreds of years of tradition" nearly killed them off. After a long and difficult period, we have international conventions to protect them - except for the well-heeled Japanese who just ignore the laws and kill them anyway with, as you noted, using specious signs saying that it's "Research", as if anyone needs to kill 1,000 Minke whales per year for research. But you don't mind the lying.
I am not a bleeding heart. When my country needed me, I did my share and more to fight and kill those I had to. At some point you gain a greater appreciation for what life and death really mean and particularly as you get older, life becomes something you take more seriously.
It's a shame I can't take you sailing and show you what whales and porpoises are like. They are clearly several steps above any other animal form and deserve protection.
The Japanese are energetically killing whales and porpoises and hunting Bluefin Tuna almost to extinction. Should this type of worldwide campaign at the expense of the rest of the world be allowed to go on, just because they have the money and the influence? You don't really believe that, do you?
Why are you here...if you think Conservatism stands for killing everything off as fast as possible for fun and profit????????????????????