Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will use his first visit to Japan since becoming leader to tell counterpart Shinzo Abe of his "strong, very principled opposition" to Tokyo's plan to resume whaling.
"The disappointment is real," Turnbull told reporters in Tokyo on Friday. "We welcomed the cessation of whaling last year and its resumption this year is a matter of grave disappointment."
The issue has cast a shadow over Turnbull's talks with Abe, which will also cover enhancement of economic and trade ties as well as security and defense cooperation. The countries are mutual allies of the U.S. amid concerns of growing Chinese militarization in the South China Sea.