Consumers expressed skepticism Friday about the ability of the U.S. to guarantee the safety of its beef, while businesses urged an immediate end to the import ban.
The two sides were speaking at a public forum in Tokyo sponsored by the government to hear the public's views on the latest suspension of U.S. beef imports.
Many consumers called the government weak-kneed in its negotiations with Washington over the beef row and said the decision to lift the initial import ban last December was premature.