Regular as the tides, the whaling controversy comes to revisit Japan. Once again, the nation's fleet ploughs the waters of the Antarctic on its annual “scientific whaling” expedition, a controversial euphemism for what much of the world views as commercial whaling in disguise. This winter, the fleet plans to harpoon 935 minke and 50 fin whales. Again, the chorus of disapproval has been predictable. As the whalers battle militant conservationist group Sea Shepherd, which harries the fleet every year, Japan's diplomats work to sooth diplomatic feathers.