Japan will propose that the United States lift its import ban on Japanese beef during talks between the two governments on the issue of mad cow disease, Yoshiyuki Kamei, minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, said Friday.
"Of course, I will make the demand" during the bilateral talks, he said.
Washington is seeking the removal of Japan's import ban on U.S. beef, imposed after the U.S. announced its first case of mad cow disease in December.