September 22, 2004
Japan, US Agree On Early Resumption Of U.S. Beef Imports
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U.S. President George W. Bush agreed Tuesday on the importance of resolving the bilateral beef trade dispute as early as possible, a step that would prompt Japan to lift the ban on U.S. beef imports.
Koizumi and Bush agreed that the two countries will hold talks swiftly to pave the way for Japan to reopen its market to U.S. beef.
Japan banned U.S. beef imports after the country discovered the first case of mad cow disease last December. Japan insisted that U.S. beef cattle should be tested for the disease in the same way cattle are examined in Japan.
The two countries initially planned to resolve the beef issue by this summer. But no deal has yet been struck, due mainly to differences over the scope cattle are subject to for BSE testing.