A Japanese whaling ship's Jan. 6 collision with antiwhaling group Sea Shepherd's high-speed boat made headlines in Japan, Australia and other countries, illustrating the keen global interest in the issue.

Although antiwhaling nations routinely condemn Japan's annual hunt, they and whaling countries alike also denounce the Washington state-based animal conservation group's violent acts, including efforts to disrupt the whalers operating in the Antarctic Ocean, most recently off Commonwealth Bay near Australia.

Following are questions and answers about the dispute: