Japanese research whaling vessels have returned to a port in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, after completing a survey expedition in the Antarctic Ocean. The expedition was unusual in that it did not involve catching any whales.

Two ships, the Yushin Maru and Yushin Maru No. 2, docked at the port in Shimonoseki City on Saturday.

Researchers on the expedition focused on observing whales from aboard the ships. They conducted a survey of the whale population and took skin samples.

Last March, the International Court of Justice ordered Japan to halt research whaling program.

Fisheries Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said he hopes scientific data gathered by the latest research expedition will lead to the resumption of commercial whaling. He said Japan has submitted details of a new program to the International Whaling Commission's scientific committee.

The program would reduce the number of whales caught to one-third the figure of previous expeditions. Japan hopes to resume research whaling in the Antarctic next season.

But it has faced increased international pressure against its whaling program since the international court's ruling.

Anti-whaling countries are expected to protest Japan's plan to resume the program.

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