I don't understand the sheer bone-headed stubbornness of Japanese whaling, given that nobody even likes or eats whale. Who is pushing so hard for this, in the f

I don't understand the sheer bone-headed stubbornness of Japanese whaling, given that nobody even likes or eats whale. Who is pushing so hard for this, in the face of international condemnation? And why? Don't tell me it's "traditional" - modern whale hunting bears no resemblance to its "traditional" roots. Do people really care so much about seeing whale on shop shelves, even though they don't actually care to eat it? Is it a childish backlash against being told what to do? What is it?