Japan responds to Australian legal action threat on whaling

Japan's foreign minister said on Sunday that he was disappointed with the threat from Australia to take his country to court over its whaling program in Antarctic waters.

Australia has vowed to approach the International Whaling Commission as soon as Monday.

A meeting between the foreign ministers of Japan and Australia in Perth over the controversial issue of whaling failed to reach an agreement.

Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, responded to Australia's threat that it would take legal action through the International Court, if Japan does not stop its research whaling program.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith gestures as his Japanese counterpart Katsuya Okada stands next to him at their press conference in Perth, Australia on Sunday Feb. 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Ross Swanborough)