Australia threatens Japan with lawsuit

TOKYO, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- An Australian vessel shadowing the Japanese whaling fleet is gathering evidence for a possible lawsuit, Australia's foreign minister told reporters in Tokyo.

Stephen Smith was on a two-day visit to Japan, The Japan Times reported, and held a news conference after reports came that the Japanese had killed five whales, the first of the season.

"The Australian government's view and the view of the Australian people is that this is not scientific research," Smith said. "It is the killing of whales."

The Japanese fleet has had plenty of company in Antarctic waters. In addition to the Australian ship, Oceanic Viking, two environmental groups, Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd, have been tracking the fleet.

Two Sea Shepherd members boarded a Japanese ship a few weeks ago, and the group also has tried to block refueling. Smith said Australian police have not decided whether boarding a Japanese ship was a violation of law, Smith said.