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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Japan re-imposes U.S. beef import ban after discovering high-risk material

Japan's agricultural ministry on January 20 announced that it will re-impose a total ban on U.S. beef imports after discovering carcass parts that could have posed a risk of BSE (mad cow disease) in a shipment of meat that arrived at Narita Airport.

Kami Tomoko, Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors, on the same day said, "The government must take responsibility for lifting the ban in December in defiance of strong public opposition."

"The Japanese government is called upon to take all necessary steps including rigorous inspections of U.S. farm facilities that ship beef to Japan.

Japan had lifted its ban on the condition that it only accepts meat from cattle that are younger than 20 months and that spinal cords, vertebrate, brains and bone marrow are removed.
- Akahata, January 21, 2006