Japan and the United States began a two-day technical meeting Tuesday in Tokyo to discuss Washington's request that Japan lift its import ban on American beef.
A team led by Charles Lambert, acting U.S. agriculture undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, is expected to answer questions about a shipment of U.S. veal in January found to contain prohibited backbone material. The discovery prompted Japan to reimpose its embargo just one month after it had been lifted for the first time in two years.
"We are here today with technical experts to answer any unanswered questions . . . for resuming trade, following whatever reviews or plans are necessary for the resumption of trade," Lambert said at the start of the meeting.