A compromise being negotiated by the IWC could save 5000 whales over the next ten years

Japan's internet users are increasingly inflamed by what they say is racism behind the whaling debate.

John Roughan writes that ageing activist Peter Bethune should cut the antics and enjoy a much improved world.

Japan will lay five charges against anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune, for boarding the Shonan Maru II in the Southern Ocean in February. His lawyer says the situation is potentially very serious.

Harajuku, the epicentre of Tokyo's youth fashion scene, is where small, slightly deranged teenagers with an endless capacity for weirdness come to play dress-up.

Japanese media have expressed frustration at a NZ activist's anti-whaling protests, with one top newspaper accusing him of terrorism.

The leader of Australia's Green Party is backing a campaign to free anti-whaling protester Peter Bethune.

Women students are demanding government action after a survey showed men with the same tertiary qualifications start earning more after one year.

Any deal with Japan to allow whaling would have to be very attractive to get New Zealand support, Foreign Minister Murray McCully says.

Wave activity "appears to be stabilised" at previously-reported levels, Civil Defence Emergency Management says.