CANBERRA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Australia on Friday welcomed Japan's suspension of its plan to kill humpback whales, but Canberra's protest is still expected.

    The Japanese government announced Friday that humpback whales will not be part of the annual hunt in the waters around Antarctica. It had planned to kill 50 humpbacks in the total hunt target of 1,050 whales.

    Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said through a spokesman that "The Australian government welcomes the announcement by Japan that 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, announced earlier this week, to see an end to whaling by Japan," the Australian Associated Press (AAP) quoted Smith as saying.

    The new Labor government has voiced its strong opposition to Japan's hunt of whales in the name of scientific research and announced to send a ship and aircraft to monitor Japanese fleet in the season.

    The AAP report said Australia's ambassador in Tokyo, Murray McLean, will present the Japanese government with Australia's formal protest later Friday night.