It must've been a terribly hard decision—whether to use 2.3 billion yen ($29 million) from Japan's tsunami reconstruction budget for, you know, tsunami reconstruction or to put it toward propping up the country's barbaric and widely condemned whale slaughter …. Well played flayed, Japan.

Steve Roest/Sea Shepherd

UPDATE: The Japanese have officially cancelled the whale hunt and ended this season early.

Fans of Whale Wars have already been dazzled by the intrepid folks of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, but their latest efforts to disrupt the horrific killings of marine animals by Japanese whalers have been so successful that Japan has announced that it's suspending its annual whale slaughter—and may call the fleet back home entirely! Bravo to Sea Shepherd for a job well done—and we know that you'll keep up the great work until whales, dolphins, and seals are safe.

By the way, Whale Wars fans should also check out PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk's book, One Can Make a Difference, which includes a first-hand account from a Sea Shepherd crew member, along with the stories of others who are, well, making a difference (just like you can).

Written by Jeff Mackey