I generally see that rational applied to whaling only when discussing indigenous populations such as the Inuit in Alaska. They are whaling in small boats and canoes using traditional techniques. Japan’s excuse for whaling is “scientific study.” I don’t think they are claiming to whale for cultural reasons, nor are they whaling for subsistence, which is allowed under international law.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aboriginal_whaling

Your argument doesn’t make more sense that saying we should farm crops like centuries before. The cultural part is about eating whale meat, not how to got it.

No, because they are free to mix and match from their cultural heritage, and keep some parts while developing others (and adding new stuff to it).

When we're talking about "cultural heritage", we mean respecting their choices regarding their cultural heritage (including abandoning parts of it). Not that they should absolutely stick to older practices on every aspect of life.

will probably get down voted for this but cannibalism was part of some cultures.....just saying, things change.

And anyways, my understanding is that whaling was not a traditional practice. At least not in the amounts it is done today.

It stemmed from food shortages post-WWII.

This would make too much sense

And my culture has a history of bear baiting and torturing scotsmen. We also made a great game of burning various people who disagreeded with our religion. Cultures have to grow up and recognize a greater good.