I think the push for coal in the US and Germany and China would have been a better example.

Not to defend Japan but it is worth noting that the populations and species of whales Japan hunts aren't in danger and their whaling doesn't appear to be impacting that species conservation significantly(their tuna fishing is a much bigger concern in that manner). But yeah, we all agreed to stop with that shit, get on board Japan it hasn't even been economical for decades.