Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Thursday denied that Japan is dragging its feet on a decision to lift its import ban on U.S. beef.

U.S. lawmakers have warned of possible sanctions in retaliation against Tokyo's 15-month ban, imposed over mad cow disease fears. U.S. President George W. Bush telephoned Koizumi last week to ask him to expedite a resumption of imports, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was due in Tokyo this week to apply more pressure.

But Koizumi said Japan is not intentionally holding up the process.