Mad cow disease caused at least 365 billion yen in damage to the farming sector and related industries, according to the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry.

Kikuhito Sugata, director general of the ministry's agricultural production bureau, disclosed the figure Thursday at the House of Councilors Budget Committee, saying it is "a bold estimate" of the damage caused between September, when mad cow disease -- or bovine spongiform encephalopathy -- was first confirmed in Japan, and February.

In the five-month period, farm revenues are estimated to have fallen by 131 billion yen from a year earlier, while industries involved in the sale of meat are estimated to have seen business fall by 160 billion yen, he said. Sales at "yakiniku" barbecued beef restaurants are estimated to have declined by between 74 billion yen and 90 billion yen.