Japan will impose emergency tariffs on foreign beef and pork in response to an increase in imports amid waning concern over mad cow disease, the government said Tuesday.
The so-called safeguard measure may hurt the nation's food industry by pushing up prices, and could also spark a trade spat with major suppliers, including the United States and Australia.
The 50 percent tariff on fresh and refrigerated beef, up from 38.5 percent, will be imposed Friday and run through March 31.