The World Wide Fund for Nature has accused Japan of defying international opinion by increasing its catch of whales from recognised areas of sanctuary under the guise of scientific research.

In a statement, the Fund said the recent launch of a new multi-million dollar whale-catcher showed that Japan's policy on whaling had become more aggressive.

The boat is one of five whalers recently sent to the Southern Ocean -- established as a sanctuary by the International Whaling Commission in 1994.