Minister for Trade Simon Crean has reassured Japan that Australia's legal action over Japanese whaling would not disrupt trade between the two countries. "I don't think the national sentiments are deteriorating," he said. Speaking from Japan, where he will be in trade negotiations to progress a free trade agreement with the Asian economy, Crean acknowledged that Australia had lodged an application in the International Court of Justice over Japanese whaling as a breach of three international conventions. Crean described the trade relationship between Japan and Australia as mature enough to withstanding differences on whaling. "People have known for some years now that there are strong and fundamental differences of opinion between the Japanese government and the Australian government on the question of whaling," he said. While in Japan, Crean will also meet with APEC trade ministers and push for action on the Doha Round of global trade negotiations.