Where humpbacks gather near Tokyo's remote islands could reshape whale watching and conservation

Humpback whales are one of the most popular species for whale watching.

Since they are active close to the water's surface, groups of whale watchers can often see them breaching and diving during breeding periods.

One popular whale watching destination is the Ogasawara Islands—also known as the Bonin Islands—a remote archipelago about 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo. ...