Japan denies using weapons on anti-whaling group

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said in a statement that two crew members were injured when Japanese whalers used water cannon, concussion grenades, acoustic weapons and threw brass and lead balls at Sea Shepherd boats.

The group said on Sunday that it had spotted the Japanese whaling fleet and was closing in on them.

"If our crew can hit them, then they would be better off quitting the research vessel and joining a professional baseball team," said Shigeki Takaya, an assistant director of the Far Seas Fisheries Division at Japan's fisheries ministry.