Japan's prime minister defended dolphin hunting in Taiji during a recent interview with CNN, saying the practice was "deeply rooted" in the local culture of the small town in western Japan and a source of income for the local economy.

Taiji is back in the news following recent remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy on Twitter that she was deeply concerned by the "inhumaneness of drive hunt dolphin killing."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also said he was aware of criticism of the practice, adding that major "improvements" to the hunting methods were under way.

"The dolphin fishing that takes place in Taiji town is an ancient fishing practice deeply rooted in their culture and their practices and supports their livelihoods. We hope you will understand this," Mr. Abe said in the interview. The hunting in Taiji gained notoriety throughout the world after the release of the 2010 Academy Award-winning documentary "The Cove." The film depicted the mass slaughter of dolphins corralled into waters near the town. The regional government issued a statement after the release of the film criticizing the way it was made and saying it did not accept the idea that sustainably produced dolphin or whale meat was special compared with beef or pork. According to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, fisherman herded more than 250 dolphins into the cove at Taiji on Jan. 18. Japan's top government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, defended the practice on Monday, saying it was a traditional fishing method carried out in accordance with the law. A segment of CNN's interview with Mr. Abe, scheduled to air in the U.S. on Sunday, was posted on its website beforehand. Mr. Abe said that all countries have ways of living and culture that have been passed down through the generations. "Naturally, I feel that these should be respected," he said. "At the same time, I am aware that there are various criticisms. I have also heard they are making major improvement in their fishing methods,' he added, referring to the practice in Taiji. He did not specify what changes would be made to the fishing methods or in what way they would improve on existing practices.

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