Japan and Australia are set to sign a defence logistics deal next month in a bid to strengthen security ties despite a row over Japan's annual whale hunts, according to reports.

The two countries are planning to sign an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement in a security meeting next month, the Japanese business daily Nikkei reported.

Under the deal - only the second for officially pacifist Japan after the one signed with key ally the United States - Japan and Australia would provide food, fuel and other logistical support to each other during peacekeeping operations, disaster-relief missions and other activities, Nikkei said.

Tokyo and Canberra have been taking steps to expand a security alliance despite disputes over Japan's Antarctic whaling, which is widely opposed in Australia.

In December 2008, the two nations agreed to share confidential information, pledged to expand joint military exercises and to set up regular consultations between officers on disaster prevention, fighting terrorism and peacekeeping.

However, Australia has threatened to take Japan to an international court over Tokyo's decision to continue whaling, which it does despite a 1986 moratorium on the practice, under a loophole that provides for lethal scientific research.

Japan, a major trading partner with Australia, is considering presenting a bill related to the ACSA. But some members of parliament of the ruling centre-left coalition have urged the government to reconsider the pact in light of the recent harassment of Japan's whaling fleet by environmental activists.

In the latest skirmish, anti-whaling activists said last Tuesday they had exchanged water-cannon fire with Japanese fishermen after ambushing them in Antarctic waters.

The whale hunt disagreement would not affect the defence pact, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said last month.

"Australia and Japan have a disagreement over whaling but neither Australia nor Japan will let it get in the way of what is a comprehensive economic and strategic partnership," Mr Smith said.