<span style="color: #222222;">Whaling ships set sail today on the first commercial hunts in decades, as Japan brushed aside global outrage over its decision to resume what conservationists say is a cruel and outdated practice.<br />''<br />''Five vessels from whaling communities left port in northern Japan's Kushiro with their horns blaring and grey tarps thrown over their harpoons.<br />''<br />''Japan's decision to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission and resume commercial hunts was slammed by activists and anti-whaling countries, but has been welcomed by Japanese whaling communities, who celebrated the departure from Kushiro with a send-off ceremony.<br />''<br />''Whaling vessels were also leaving today morning from other ports including in Shimonoseki in western Japan. The country's Fisheries Agency said it had set a cap for a total catch of 227 whales through the season until late December, 52 minke, 150 Bryde's and 25 sei whales.<br />''<br />''Whaling has long proved a rare diplomatic flashpoint for Tokyo, which says the practice is a Japanese tradition that should not be subject to international interference.</span><br />