Japanese company rolls out whale vending machine in Tokyo region

A Japanese firm is debuting a whale meat vending machine in the capital region of Tokyo, a bold move in a contentious debate even in Japan where eating whale is more common than elsewhere.

The Kujira Store will sell whale bacon, whale steaks and other whale meat products in three separate unmanned kiosks, ABC News reports.

The automat was launched by Kyodo Senpaku Co. The company is reportedly determined to launch as many as 100 such machines over the next several years. 

Whale consumption is sharply criticized by conservationists and animal rights activists, who argue the practice targets and depletes the world’s whale population.