Japanese whaling was curtailed through a combination of international pressure, legal challenges, activism, and domestic factors.
- Diplomatic and economic pressure: Countries such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand urged Japan to stop whaling.
- Legal rulings: In 2014, the International Court of Justice ruled that Japan's Antarctic scientific whaling was not legitimate and ordered the revocation of permits.
- Public awareness and activism: Media coverage and groups such as Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd drew global attention and disrupted operations.
- Domestic changes: Shifting public opinion in Japan and declining profitability reduced support for whaling.
Japan ended its Antarctic scientific whaling program in 2018 and withdrew from the International Whaling Commission, though it continues coastal whaling within its sovereign waters.