Some years ago, through enormous investment and trade with Australia, Japan encouraged the Australian fishing industry to turn its blue fin tuna resources into a major export item to Japan. However, once highly valued blue fin tuna established substantial market in Japan, Australia was tempted to exclude Japanese tuna vessels from her 200 nautical-mile zones with a hope of maximizing the profit from southern blue fin tuna. Furthermore, Australians' strong interest in preservation of the environment complicated the issue politically. However, with a judgment by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, which was not in favor for the claims requested by the Australian and New Zealand governments, it seems finally as if both parties are moving towards a mutually benefited normalization process.