This isn't your ordinary stir-fry -- it's made of whale meat.<br/> <br />The dish is the centrepiece of a publicity lunch by the Japanese government to promote its "scientific whaling programme".<br/> <br />Japan says hunting and eating whales is part of its culture, and officials are putting money where their mouths are.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPAN'S VICE ECONOMY MINISTER, DAISHIRO YAMAGIWA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We've been discussing about ways to protect our food tradition, and we came to a conclusion that we, the government officials, should do something first - as it's said 'whoever suggests should start'."<br/> <br />The country will resume the controversial programme next year despite an April ruling by the International Court of Justice saying it should stop.<br/> <br />The new plan calls for hunting over 300 minke whales, a third of the quota for previous years.
