Japan plans to commercially hunt vulnerable fin whales, enraging conservationists

A fin whale gliding through the ocean. We can make out its grey back and white belly.

Japan's commercial whaling activities could soon expand to include fin whales, government officials announced last week.

The move, which experts have heavily condemned, would increase the number of whale species Japan hunts in its territorial waters to four; the other three species are the Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), the sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) and the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata).