Headed by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the Australian government sought an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to put an end to Japan's Whaling Research Program. The ICJ, located in the Hague, Netherlands, finally ruled on the May 2010 filing in favor of Australia, stating that Japanese whaling boats must cease operating in the Antarctic.

Defending its whaling program, the government of Japan justified the killing of whales as part of scientific research. Australian officials, on the other hand, claimed that it was just a front by Japan to perform commercial whaling.

The hearings started in June 2013. Australia claimed that Japan's supposed research program has: 1) killed over 10,000 whales; and 2) no significance to conservation of the marine life. These two claims, which were proven to the ICJ's satisfaction, show clear violations of international law. Japan's counterargument maintained that the research program is to get data on whale stocks for cultural reasons, in support of its objective to re-evaluate why commercial whaling is forbidden in the first place.

Judge Peter Tomka, ICJ presiding Judge, declared on March 31 the court's decision, where 12 out of 16 voted to stop the whaling activities of Japan in Antarctica. He added that any existing permit, license, or authorization of Japan in connection to JARPA II is canceled. No permits will be granted to Japan requesting for the continuation of its whaling research program.

The government of Japan expressed disappointment on the ICJ's ruling, but promised to follow the decision of the court as a responsible member of the international community and as a country that respects the rule of law.

However, CNN reports that Japan has nevertheless continued with plans for a smaller but all too similar mission in the Pacific and is still developing a 2015-2016 research program which it will be submitting for international review, indicating the country is not taking the criticism of the ICJ seriously.