Japan issues travel warning ahead of whaling meet
Updated
Japan has issued some advice for its citizens who happen to be in Chile next week - "don't mention the whales".
Our North Asia correspondent, Shane McLeod, says Japan has issued the travel warning ahead of next week's meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Santiago.
Japan's foreign ministry is warning its citizens to take care during the IWC meeting, where Japan's whaling programs are expected to again face fierce criticism.
The warning says that Japanese people should not draw attention to themselves, that they should avoid going to the five-star hotel where the IWC meeting is being held, and that they should steer clear of anti-whaling rallies.
The guidelines also warn Japanese people to avoid going out at night, and to refrain from talking carelessly about whaling in front of other people.
Japan's government insists its controversial whaling program is legal under scientific provisions of the International Convention on Whaling.
