Australia condemns Japan whaling move

Australia has expressed its disappointment with Japan for resuming commercial whaling after 31 years.

Japan has agreed to stop whaling in the South Ocean, but its boats have embarked on their first commercial hunts within the country's exclusive economic waters for the first time since 1988.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne and Environment Minister Sussan Ley have jointly condemned the move, which came after Japan officially withdrew from the International Whaling Convention on Sunday.

"While the Australian government welcomes the end of whaling in the Southern Ocean, we are disappointed that Japan has withdrawn from the convention and is resuming commercial whaling," the pair in a statement on Tuesday.

"We continue to urge Japan to return to the convention and the commission as a matter of priority."

Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Labor's environment spokeswoman Terri Butler also condemned Japan over resuming commercial whaling.

The Labor duo are calling on the government to continue fighting against all forms of whaling.

They also accused the government of failing to take Japan seriously when it moved to recommence whaling, by sending a junior minister of the environment minister to the International Whaling Commission.