The three activists could face criminal charges in Japan , an Australian official says . The men are being questioned after boarding a patrol ship involved in the whale hunt . The Australian government is trying to secure the activists ' release . Environmental groups have clashed in previous years with the the whale - hunting activists .
The three activists could face criminal charges in Japan , an Australian official says . The men are being questioned after boarding a patrol ship involved in the whale hunt . The Australian government is working to secure the activists ' release . Environmental groups have clashed in previous years with the the whale-hunting vessels .