Thanks for the insight. My father-in-law is from Kumamoto - and we routinely eat horse meat. I will be sure to let him know haha.

You’re right. Whale meal is banned from school lunches in Japan. I did try it once at an izakaya (gastro-pub in Japan). I think whale meal is still served at some izakayas if one searches hard enough: https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/23/whale-meat-on-the-menu-as-japanese-suppliers-try-to-tempt-tourists