Japan's agriculture minister has confirmed the country will dispatch its whaling fleet to the Southern Ocean again this year.

There was speculation the government might curtail the so-called scientific whaling catch, with programs being cut across the board to help pay for the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters.

But speaking to journalists in Tokyo, Michihiko Kano confirmed the fleet would depart around November.

The government says it will also send an observation ship to monitor the activities of the Sea Shepherd group.

The Sea Shepherd conservation group successfully obstructed last season's hunt, leaving the Japanese fleet with just a fifth of its quota.

Australia has remained critical of Japan's whaling program.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd says the Government is disappointed Japan will conduct whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, established by the International Whaling Commission.

"There is widespread concern in the international community at Japan's whaling program and [there are] widespread calls for it to cease," he said on in a joint statement with Environment Minister Tony Burke and Attorney-General Robert McClelland.

Mr Burke says there is no justification for whaling.

"When we talk to Japan, we talk to a friend - we talk to a very good friend - but we talk to a friend where we have a serious difference of opinion," he said.

"On this one we say to Japan they do not need to do this. There is no justification for continued whaling."

Since the ban on commercial whaling in 1986, Japan has conducted whaling under the guise of scientific research.