Japan's whaling fleet set sail last month with plans to catch more than 1,000 whales including 50 humpbacks. It is due back early next year.
"NO PROBLEM" WITH WHALING
Japan, which says whaling is a cherished cultural tradition, abandoned commercial whaling in accordance with an international moratorium in 1986, but began what it calls a scientific research whaling programme the following year.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura defended his country's whaling, saying it was in line with international treaties and he saw no problem with it.
Komura later spoke by telephone with his Australian counterpart, who voiced his concern over the issue, the Tokyo Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
It said Komura had restated Japan's basic stance on "research whaling". The ministry said Smith had given an assurance that the row would not harm bilateral ties.
Earlier, Smith's spokesman had told Reuters: "The Australian government welcomes the announcement by Japan that it will suspend its plan to kill humpback whales this season.
"While this is a welcome move, the Australian government strongly believes that there is no credible justification for the hunting of any whales and will vigorously pursue its efforts ... to see an end to whaling by Japan."
In their joint protest to Tokyo's Foreign Ministry, the 30 nations and the European Commission said: "We are extremely concerned that more than 11,000 whales have been killed under scientific programmes since the introduction of the moratorium."
They added: "Taking into consideration the government of Japan's environmental credentials in several areas, we strongly urge Japan to join the international community and cease all its lethal scientific research on whales, and assure the immediate return of the vessels."
While Japan kills whales for "scientific purposes", the meat of the giant marine mammals ends up in Japanese supermarkets and restaurants. These days, though, it is a delicacy for which the public appetite is waning.
Some experts say Japan fears that limits on whaling will lead to limits on all Japanese fishing, while others argue the whaling campaign is a form of nationalist diplomacy.
