The main reason why the whaling ships will probably be withdrawn is that [br] [

News Item 2
    The government in Tokyo has announced that the Japanese whaling fleet will return to the Antarctic this year. The fisheries minister said it’ll be protected by escort vessels.
    The last time Japanese whaling ships went to the Antarctic earlier this year, they were driven out by boats of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The choice for next time was either to send a stronger fleet or to withdraw. (7) With the national budget drained by March’s earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent Fukushima nuclear disaster, many observers thought withdrawal was the likely option. It was openly discussed by government advisers. Sea Shepherd has pledged to be there too. (8) This was the closest Japan has come in 25 years to ending its Antarctic whaling program.