Japan to kill more whales in Antarctic

The Japanese Government intends to expand what it describes as research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean to include humpback and fin whales from late this year.

It will also nearly double its catch of minke whales, sources familiar with the situation say.

This is expected to spark further protests from anti-whaling nations led by the United States and ecologists worldwide who have accused Japan of using its research whaling programme as a cover for commercial hunting.

The new plan would be submitted to the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) from May 30 in South Korea, the sources said.