Deeply disappointed over Japan whaling, Aussie PM tells Abe

TOKYO: Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday told Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of his “deep disappointment” over Tokyo’s resumption of whaling in the Antarctic Ocean, though held out hope for a resolution of the highly charged issue.
Turnbull and Abe held talks on the occasion of the Australian leader’s first visit to Japan since becoming prime minister in September.
“I have expressed today to the prime minister as I have before our very deep disappointment with Japan’s resumption of whaling,” Turnbull told reporters at a joint appearance with Abe after their talks.
Turnbull called it a “principal concern” for Australia and other countries, but added that Tokyo and Canberra are “good friends” that can openly express their differences.
“That way, perhaps over time, we will be able to resolve it,” he said. “Let us hope so.”
Despite tensions over whaling, the two countries have a flourishing relationship in trade and tourism and have moved to strengthen defense and security ties.
Japan is hoping to supply Australia’s next generation of submarines but is in competition with French and German bidders in a deal worth up to Aus$50 billion ($35.7 billion).
A Japanese whaling fleet set sail this month for the Antarctic after a one-year pause, sparking a formal protest from 33 countries led by Australia and New Zealand.
Tokyo said last month it planned to kill 333 minke whales for “scientific research” this season in spite of a worldwide moratorium and widespread opposition.