The new nation was a seafaring one, amassing great wealth from ship-building, whaling, fishing and maritime trade.
EMOTION, according to the Japanese government, should play no part in decisions about commercial whaling.
The pro-whaling screed was approved by a much thinner margin: 33 votes to 32.
Whaling for the sake of science has always been permitted anywhere and without restrictions.
Others worry that whaling will hurt Iceland's image and thus harm its thriving tourist industry.
They are not advancing the anti-whaling cause they espouse by threatening lives in this way.
The whaling fight is being waged in the courts as well as at sea.
"This proposal shows Japan's true intention is to expand its whaling operations, " said Gladman.
The history of whaling is both a testament to American can-do and a shame worn uneasily.
Climate change is not ending whaling, but it is causing shorter seasons and extreme, unpredictable weather.
Perry Pungowiyi is the captain of a whaling crew in Savoonga, the other village on St.
He added that the illegality of whaling in Australian waters did not excuse Sea Shepherd's activities.
But critics say the hunt is commercial whaling in another guise and has no scientific value.
Masayuki Komatsu led Japan's whaling negotiations until his retirement from the fisheries ministry three years ago.
Nearby New Bedford was once home to America's whaling industry and remains the country's busiest fishing port.
"There can be no question that this is a sustainable activity, " said Iceland's whaling commissioner Stefan Asmundsson.
Iceland is already under fire from the conservation lobby over its recent decision to resume commercial whaling.
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"Sanctuary from whaling is the best way to protect the great whales, " Gladman said in a statement.
The Southern Ocean Sanctuary was set aside in 1994 as an area where commercial whaling is prohibited.
The whaling ship blasted its horns and turned on its water cannons, which sent powerful jets overboard.
Whaling is not banned, but it is not exactly permitted, either an ambiguity resulting from political compromise and shortsightedness.
It has negotiated with indigenous tribes and agreed to halt its activities during the traditional summer whaling season.
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Under intense pressure from campaigners, some members of the anti-whaling bloc (in particular the Latin Americans) walked away.
"The Norwegian government's policy is to normalise whaling, " says Johan Williams, the director general at Norway's Ministry of Fisheries.
That's probably the observation I've heard most often so far at this year's International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting.
On the walls hang marble tablets that commemorate moments of great adventure and loss in the times of whaling.
Dr Umezawa, however, was equally clear that the sanctuary bid will not enjoy the support of the pro-whaling countries.
Almost everything he has been doing has had blowback for those who want to see an end to whaling.
Japan's preparations are clear for all to see -- the bogus scientific whaling and its investment in new equipment.
Environmental groups suggest the whaling decision may add to pressure on the economy.
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