Hankyu Department Store's main outlet in the western industrial hub of Osaka chose whale meat for price cuts as it believes it was the quintessential food of the nation when it rose from the ashes of World War II.

Japan went on to become a vigorous economic power by the 1970s, part of what the nation calls the Showa era (1926-1989).

'These days we see lots of grim news and events amid recession but we want customers to remember the Showa era and blow the gloom away, at least in their sentiment,' company marketing official Tadashi Matsui said.

'Whale meat represents Showa. It used to be food for the common people but prices have soared since the halt on commercial whaling' in the 1980s, he said.

'It would be good if our customers feel nostalgic and cheerful.'

Japan has a bitter feud with Western nations, particularly Australia, over its whaling. Environmentalists have dogged Japan's annual whaling expedition in the Antarctic Ocean.

Japan kills hundreds of whales a year under a loophole in a 1986 international moratorium that allows 'lethal research' on the ocean giants.

The country argues that whaling is part of its culture, although environmentalists note that most Japanese do not eat whale on a regular basis.

Mr Matsui did not comment on whether the store had been losing money before starting the offer but said sales have more than doubled since the prices were cut on Tuesday. The discount sale will continue to the end of month.

The store now sells 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of red meat of sei whale at 248 yen (S$4.20), less than half the regular price of 630 yen and roughly the level of 30 years ago.

The same weight of skin goes for 420 yen, compared with 945 yen. -- AFP