Whaling has been a problem in Japan for almost a thousand years but is has only been in recent years that there has been such uproar and controversy over it. The Japanese government have always said that it is for scientific research but really the different oils and body parts of different whales have been used to make lamp oil, soaps and cosmetics such as lipsticks. Japanese whaling has caused the death of several thousand whales, in particular Mink Whales and Antarctic Minke Whales. Technically, whaling is illegal in Japan but a loophole is used by whalers, by using the excuse that it is for 'scientific research'. However, it is assumed the Japanese government do nothing to try stop this. It is mainly the International Whaling Commission that tries to stop this controversial act. Whaling was traditionally done with nets and harpoons but in the last century it has become much easier to do with large steam boats and trawlers. Traditionally, whale meat is a huge part of the Japanese food, culture and diet which is used as an argument in support of whaling. "No one has the right to criticize the food culture of another people," said Matayuki Komatsu of Japan's Fisheries Agency." However, large protests against whaling constantly take place in Japan as well as countries such as Iceland and Norway.