Sure, the day without kicking Russians is irredeemably lost. In fact, levels of whaling in Japanese waters were generally equal or higher, especially after onset of Perestroika, when ecological thinking in Russia had somewhat strengthened.

https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/89165d40234eac70a7419b34adbc05d3?src

Besides that, Russia is an acting member of the International Whaling Commission, while Japan left it.

https://assets.ourworldindata.org/exports/iwc-members_v9_850x600.svg