The western Pacific gray whale once seemed destined for extinction. Now it supports a booming tourism trade. ->
Japan's whaling industry comes under pressure from foreign governments and its own economic data. ->
Japan announces it is "suspending" this year's Antarctic whaling. Is it in fact ending it - and not just this year, but for good?
Leaked cables show the U.S. and Japan discussing whaling deals and the status of Sea Shepherd.
While Japan's Antarctic whaling may be nearing an end, its North Pacific whaling is still going strong.
The discovery of radioactive cesium in minke whales off Japan seems unlikely to boost the country's whale meat market.
