Japan's suspension of U.S. beef imports has created a strange contradiction: As the government searches for alternate sources of beef, it imposes tariffs that help keep overseas beef out.

The government sent two agriculture officials to Australia and New Zealand this month to see if the countries could cover a gap in beef supply and keep prices down.

Officials meanwhile said emergency tariffs, which raise the price of beef 5 percent to 8 percent, would remain in place at least until the end of March.