Consumers are far from convinced that U.S. beef is safe, despite government efforts to ease public concerns through 10 nationwide public hearings on the issue.
The 10 hearings have been held since the beginning of June. The last one wrapped up Wednesday in Tokyo.
But the Tokyo hearing, like the others, ended up amplifying consumer skepticism, especially following a news report the same day that the government may give the go-ahead to U.S. beef imports as early as next week.