JAPAN has launched a diplomatic offensive against Australia and the Netherlands following more clashes with anti-whaling protesters in Antarctic waters.

On Friday, Japanese whalers and protesters from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society clashed in the Southern Ocean.

The Japanese claim one of their whalers was rammed by the Sea Shepherd vessel, the Dutch-registered Steve Irwin.

But the Steve Irwin's captain, Paul Watson, insisted the Japanese whaler had been manoeuvred in such a way that it was impossible to avoid contact.

The skirmish marked an escalation in the conflict between the two groups, with the Japanese using water cannon and a noise weapon against protesters.

Both sides also accused the other of attempting to foul propellers.

Soon after the clash, Japan summoned the Netherlands' Ambassador to Tokyo, Philip de Heer, and demanded action be taken against Sea Shepherd, which is Dutch-registered.

In a statement, Japan's government-run Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) also took a swipe at Australia.

"The Australian government, which has harboured and allowed the Steve Irwin to refuel and reprovision, and the government of the Netherlands, which has registered and flagged the vessel, should also be held accountable for allowing this vessel to commit serious criminal acts at sea," Japan said.

ICR spokesman Glenn Inwood on Saturday said Australia should examine its responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"Especially as pertaining to port states and the responsibility of port states to ensure that their harbours are not used for the sanctioning or the preparation for criminal acts at sea," he said.

Mr Inwood said there was no justification for the Sea Shepherd vessel ramming whaling ships.

"It is the same argument about a husband battering his wife, you know, he was forced to hit her. It is no argument at all," he said.

Speaking to AAP via satellite phone on Saturday, Paul Watson said he was unconcerned that Japan had called in the Dutch ambassador.

"The Dutch government doesn't take their orders from Tokyo, unlike some other countries," Mr Watson said.

"They have been complaining to the Netherlands ever since we got the Dutch flag. This is nothing new to the Dutch."

He said his ship was continuing to confront whalers and blocking slipways when dead whales were hauled onto the whaling mothership.

Mr Watson also criticised the Australian government, saying he was sick of hearing that his group should avoid confronting the Japanese.

"They (whalers) are using this acoustic blaster here, which aside from making things uncomfortable for us, is affecting birds that are flying around. It is causing damage to wildlife. This is a violation of the Antarctic Treaty," Mr Watson said.

"We have been coming down here for five years, and where are the criminal charges? Nobody has charged us with anything, just this continual rhetoric that we are criminals or terrorists.

"If we are terrorists, then bloody well arrest us or they should just shut up," he said.

Spokespeople for Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith could not be contacted for comment.

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