No I don’t think a whale is a puppy or kitten but I live on the California Central Coast and have had a lot of interactions with whales while out fishing. They are awesome animals and hate to see them get hurt. I have no respect or affection for the Sea Shepard group but I don’t think whale is a necessary staple in the Japanese diet. Just my opinion.
I don’t think it’s a necessary staple either, but that is not for me to choose. I live in Arizona. I eat beef shipped to me from Nebraska (and “sea kittens”). If you are not Japanese, it’s not for you to choose either.
As an aside, I don’t think these are the same whales you visit. This happened off Antarctica.