Japan lifted an import ban on Mexican tomatoes Friday, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry said.
Japan had imposed the ban due to a tobacco blue mold epidemic in Mexico that affects tobacco and tomato plants but has never been seen in Japan.
The ministry said the ban has been lifted after it was confirmed that tobacco blue mold fungi cannot be parasitic on tomatoes.
Imports of tomato plants remain banned since tobacco blue mold fungi could be parasitic on the stems and leaves of tomato plants, the ministry said.