December 22, 2010

Japan to resume working-level talks on US beef imports

Japanese farm minister Michihiko Kano and US Ambassador to Japan, John Roos, confirmed on Tuesday (Dec 21) that the two countries will continue working-level consultations on relaxing Japan's restrictions on US beef imports due to mad cow disease.

At their first meeting since Kano took up his ministerial post in September, Roos expressed the US' hopes to continue the talks and Kano agreed to do so.

But Kano noted that it is important to secure food safety based on scientific evidence. The remark was taken as indicating Japan's negative stance toward any prompt easing.

Roos told Kano that Washington is ready to provide Tokyo with information on nine countries' ongoing negotiations on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement.

The Japanese government is expected to make a decision next year on whether to participate in the TPP negotiations amid strong opposition from domestic farmers who fear a possible influx of cheap farm imports under the free trade agreement.

When Roos asked Kano about Tokyo's stance on the US-backed TPP negotiations, the farm minister did not comment on whether Japan would participate in the negotiations. He said that it was only necessary to deal with the matter while gathering information.