Commercial whaling has been globally banned since 1986 by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Japan's whaling programme that it calls scientific and claims is legal under IWC rules, provides for a self-imposed quota of up to 440 minke whale stocks annually. Every second year it concentrates this effort on the waters of eastern Antarctica. The IWC has repeatedly requested that the Japanese government stop this so-called research whaling.
In 2002 Australia attempted to expel Japanese whaling ships from waters of the Australian Antarctic Territory (a claim little recognized by the international community). Under Australian law, the killing of whales is forbidden, with heavy penalties for any Australian found to be involved.