A subsidiary of Tokyu Department Store Co. sold beef from cattle raised in Yamagata Prefecture after labeling it as coming from Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture, where Japan's most prestigious cattle ranches are located, Tokyu Store Chain Co. said Tuesday.
The beef from the city and its vicinity is sold at a premium and is better known as Matsuzaka beef.
Tokyo-based meat retailer Central Foods Co., a subsidiary of the major department store chain, sold 26 packages, or about 4 kg, of the falsely labeled beef at an outlet in a Tokyu Store Chain store in Kawasaki between July 1 and Aug. 5, according to Tokyu Store Chain officials.