This episode previews a new podcast series, Japan on the Record, a shorter format current events-themed series.  In episode 1, Dr. Noell Wilson (University of Mississippi) details the American influences shaping Japanese deep sea whaling dating to the mid-19th century.

Read the NY Times editorial referenced in the episode here.  Read the Japanese government's response here.

For more historical background on Japanese whaling, listen to Meiji at 150 Podcast episode 47 with Dr. Jakobina Arch.

Credit to BBC News and Al Jazeera English for audio clips.