Japan agreed Friday to suspend its plans to hunt humpback whales due to the increasing calls from Australia to stop the hunting.

This is the first time Japan suspends the hunting of whales in Antarctica since the 1960s.

Japan wanted to kill 50 humpbacks whales, species protected since 1966, in their expedition in the Antarctic.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said: "Japan has decided not to catch humpback whales for one year or two, but there will be no change in our stance on research whaling. Japan's relations with Australia could improve, but it depends on how it will see our decision," Guardian Unlimited reports.

Last month Japan sent its fleet in the southern Pacific in what was set to be the first major whaling hunt since the 1960s. This move triggered international criticism.

The whales are considered the most majestic and athletic of all whales and they draw almost 1.5 million tourists for whale-watching trips every year.

According to the American Cetacean Society, in the 1960s the population of humpback whales was only of 1,200 and now is of 30,000 and 40,000.

Stephen Smith, a spokesman for the foreign minister, said: "The Australian government welcomes the announcement by Japan it will suspend its plan to kill humpback whales this season. While this is a welcome move, the Australian government strongly believes that there is no credible justification for the hunting of any whales and will vigorously pursue its efforts ... to see an end to whaling by Japan."

For centuries coastal communities have hunted whales in Japan, but the whale meat wasn’t consumed widely until it was encouraged by the U.S. occupation in the years which followed World War II, USA Today informs.

Although Japan announced that it won’t hunt humpback whales, it will still hunt 935 minke whales and up to 50 fin whales.