Japan will abandon whale hunt for a while

As you know, many countries especially Australia have been criticizing the whale hunt.  And, Japan decided not to catch humpback whales for one year or two. I don't have enough knowledge about this issue, but I think that both countries should know their opinion deeper.  Many Japanise people think that whale hunt is legal because Japan doesn't catch too many whales and there is no reason why eating domestic animal is admitted but catching whales is not admitted.  Other countries, like Australia, insist that whale hunt is cruel and inhumane, and because the number of whales is decreasing Japan should give up catching and protect them.  I think both opinion is right.  So I don't know why this conflict occur.