[Full Article] Amid Concerns Over Huge Disposal Costs… On-Site Photos of the “17-Meter-Long Blue Whale” That Washed Ashore at Kujukuri Beach in Chiba Prefecture

The decaying, massive body

“I heard there was a risk the beached whale might explode. Ropes had been strung up to keep people from getting close,” said a local resident.

On September 19, a fin whale approximately 17 meters long washed ashore at Kujukuri Beach in Sosa City, Chiba Prefecture.When a reporter visited the scene a few days later, the massive body was lying on the shoreline (photo above). The carcass swayed with the incoming waves, and subcutaneous fat and skin that had peeled off floated on the surface of the water. Standing downwind, a pungent stench of decay assaulted the nose.

“The beached fin whale is believed to be a young male, as its penis has been identified. Due to the approaching typhoon, recovery and disposal efforts were delayed, and the carcass remained untouched for more than 10 days after it washed ashore. Decomposition has progressed, and the head has flattened and begun to disintegrate,” said a reporter from the social affairs department of a national newspaper.

The fin whale is one of the world’s largest whales, reaching a length of 25 meters and a weight of 60 metric tons as an adult.They migrate thousands of kilometers annually, and the waters off the Boso Peninsula lie along their route. Their meat is of high quality and highly valued for consumption; in 2024, they were added to the list of species subject to commercial whaling, and their capture—the first in about half a century—drew significant attention.

80 million yen for disposal in Osaka

However, Genta Yasunaga, a senior researcher at the Japan Cetacean Research Institute, points out that there are risks associated with beached carcasses.

“Generally speaking, there are three potential dangers to consider. First, there is the risk of being crushed by the massive body—weighing tens of metric tons—if you get too close and are swept by the waves. Second is the risk of infectious diseases. The whale may have died from an illness, so touching it without protective gear is extremely dangerous.Third is the risk of explosion. Methane gas accumulated inside the body can, in very rare cases, explode. While it’s not a large-scale explosion like gunpowder, bones and other internal parts can be scattered, potentially causing injuries.” “Waste of Taxpayer Money” Due to Disposal Costs

When a whale washes ashore, the disposal costs become a major issue.In January 2023, when a sperm whale nearly 15 meters long strayed into Osaka Bay and died, the City of Osaka faced criticism for “wasting taxpayer money” due to the opaque process leading to its disposal at sea and the enormous disposal costs of approximately 80 million yen.How will this situation be handled this time? An official from the Chiba Prefecture Kaiso Civil Engineering Office, which has jurisdiction over the coastline, explains.

“The National Museum of Nature and Science has decided to dissect the whale for academic research. After the investigation is complete, it will be buried on a nearby beach. The prefecture will cover the costs of transportation and burial, but the specific amount has not yet been determined.”

Dr. Yuko Tajima, a veterinarian and Senior Researcher in the Vertebrate Research Group at the National Museum of Nature and Science, who is leading the academic investigation, explains:

“The investigation is scheduled for September 30 (postponed from the original date of October 1 due to a typhoon). We will dissect the carcass to determine the cause of death. We will collect as much tissue as possible to use as specimens and research samples.“The whale’s carcass—including its stomach contents and excrement—is a ‘treasure trove’ for researchers studying its ecology,”

It is said that there are approximately 300 cases of whales and dolphins washing ashore in Japan each year. Given the risks involved, it is important for the general public to keep their distance.

From the October 16, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*