NEW : He stressed that taking the case to court does not mean that the relationship between Australia and Japan -- strong allies and trading partners -- has soured . ` Australian official makes research possible without hunting whales . Australia has filed suit with international court over Japan 's whaling practices . Japan says decision to head to Australia ` ` regrettable '' International law on hunting whales for scientific research .
NEW : Australian official makes research possible without hunting whales . Australia has filed suit with international court over Japan 's whaling practices . Japan says decision to head to Australia ` ` regrettable '' International law on hunting whales for scientific research .