We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for Ayukawa - The Weight of a Life

Ayukawa - The Weight of a Life

Film (Trailer) – 2021

E
Exempt
When I hear news of a catch I cannot sit still. My energy is heightened when news of a whale has been caught. This is how it goes when you work within whaling. I am a Japanese, you see.
– A resident of Ayukawa on the emotions he experiences working in the whaling industry
There is no Ayukawa without whaling.
– Fisherman Hiroyuki Akimoto on Ayukawa's deep connection to whaling, New York Times 24 March 2011
To eat whale meat is part of being Japanese, and it enables people in this region connect with their past. I don’t see why anyone should object to that.
– Restaurant owner Shinji Sato on the fading tradition of eating whale meat, Guardian 28 June 2019