Japan says to abide by UN court's Antarctic whaling ban

THE HAGUE - Japan said Monday it would respect an International Court of Justice order to end its annual Antarctic whale hunt, despite "deep disappointment" with the landmark decision.

"As a state that respects the rule of law... and as a responsible member of the global community, Japan will abide by the decision of the court," chief negotiator Koji Tsuruoka told reporters outside the United Nations' top court in The Hague.