Japan has rejected Australia's legal attack over whaling as an alarmist crusade against a scientific research program Tokyo has the right to conduct.

Launching its defence against Australia's bid to halt the whaling at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Japan's counsel claimed the case was mistaken.

The Japanese delegation fighting in defence of whaling at The Hague: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Koji Tsuruoka, Ambassador of Japan to the Netherlands Yasumasa Nagamine and Alain Pellet, professor of Paris Ouest University. Credit:AP

"The days of civilising missions and moral crusades are over," lawyer Payam Akhavan said.

"In a world with diverse civilisations and traditions, international law cannot become an instrument for imposing the cultural preference of some at the expense of others."