Australia courted Japanese meat-eaters at a beef-tasting party Wednesday, offering to increase exports to Japan by 80 percent to replace the American supply after Tokyo banned U.S. beef over fears of mad cow disease.

Ambassador John McCarthy told assembled television cameras that Australian beef is suited to Japanese palates, displaying a long table lined with sukiyaki, beef stew and lightly grilled meat with citrus and soy-based dipping sauce.

"This is to give people an opportunity to see what Australian beef tastes like," McCarthy told a TV reporter before taking a bite of marbled beef set on a bed of rice. "Oishii desu," he said for the camera, using the Japanese phrase for "Tastes good."