Listen Now: Whale Meat Vending Machines

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There’s a new type of vending machine popping up in Japan, and it’s serving up some controversy. I’m Brian Banmiller on Business.

A whaling operator near Tokyo recently opened 3 vending machines selling whale sashimi, whale bacon, whale skin, whale steak, and canned whale meat. Prices for the unusual menu items range from $8 to $23. The operator says he went the vending machine route because he was having trouble promoting his products due to anti-whaling protests. So, he figured this would be a way to attract new customers. Critics are concerned this will expand the practice of whaling. The head of the Dolphin and Whale Action Network says the vending machine operator is already asking for additional catches and expanding  whaling outside designated waters. And that looks to be true. The machine operator says he hopes to set up vending machines in at least 100 locations across the country in the next 5 years. specifically outside supermarkets which the operator says are hesitant to stock whale meat because of the controversy surrounding it. I wonder if the vending machine customers will face any trouble. Brian Banmiller, CBS News.

About Brian

CBS News Radio national business journalist Brian Banmiller has spent more than 40 years in the news industry, covering business, politics and the economy on television, radio and in print. Currently, his “Banmiller on Business” reports are delivered to an audience of millions nationwide.