(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-01 21:09

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda agreed on Friday with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith to properly deal with the two countries' dispute over whaling so as to maintain the overall bilateral relations.

During a 15-minute talk, Fukuda said Japan should deal with the issue calmly and stressed the importance of understanding each other's different positions.

It is important to think about each other's stance and prevent the issue from waging a negative influence on the bilateral diplomatic ties, Fukuda told reporters after the meeting.

Smith expressed his expectation that the dialogue over the dispute could go on for the disappearance of differences over the matter, according to Kyodo News.

The visiting minister reiterated Australian government's opposition at a press conference following the meeting and said his country would not forgive activities risking people's safety on the high seas.

Relations between Japan and Australia were strained since environment activists and Japanese whalers clashed in the Antarctic sea in mid February.

Japan has always been claiming that its whaling program is for scientific purpose and the world whale populations could afford a limited catch.

It kills about 1,000 whales annually. According to the Japanese agriculture, forestry and fishery ministry, Japan's original hunting target for this year was 1,035 whales, 50 precious humpbacks included.

The country wiped off the humpbacks from the target list in mid December under the International Whaling Commission's proposal.