Japan will take steps to prevent U.S. beef from entering the country through third parties while its import ban remains in effect, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima said Tuesday.
Asked how Japan would react if Mexico lifted its ban on U.S. beef imports and exported U.S. beef to other countries, Takashima said, "We would study the situation and take necessary measures to prevent American beef from coming into the Japanese market."
Takashima said at a news conference that Japan will "very carefully" monitor developments in talks between the United States and Mexico.
He said the Japanese government will take action concerning U.S. beef based on the principles of food safety and Japanese consumer satisfaction.