Humpback whale hunt abandoned by Japan

TOKYO, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- The Japanese government has decided to abandon its controversial hunt of humpback whales after being the target of international criticism.

The Independent said that while the hunting plan was opposed from its inception, Japan did not decide to abandon the effort until the United States entered the fray.

The head of the International Whaling Commission, the United States had warned Japan that its plan to harpoon 50 humpback whales could have repercussions in the international community, the British newspaper said.

Japan had planned to hunt the whales as part of its whaling research program, which has been criticized for the 1,000 whales it kills annually.

The suspension of the hunt for a year or two by Japan was immediately applauded by animal rights activists, The Independent said.

"This is good news indeed, but it must be the first step toward ending all whaling in the Southern Ocean, not just one species for one season," Greenpeace official Karli Thomas said.