New Zealand and Australia lead Japan whaling protest

New Zealand led an international protest on Monday against Japan's plans to resume killing whales in the Southern Ocean, while Australia said it was considering further legal action.

Prime Minister John Key said New Zealand's ambassador to Tokyo delivered a "strong" formal message from 33 countries, including the United States and Australia, to Japan.

"We consider that there is no scientific basis for the slaughter of whales and strongly urge the government of Japan not to allow it to go ahead," Key said in a statement.