The government on Thursday approved the resumption of U.S. beef imports, saying it will check all incoming shipments "for the time being" to make sure high-risk materials are being properly removed.
The first shipment is expected to arrive early next month.
"We want to send out a message to the public that it is safe" to eat U.S. beef, Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Jiro Kawasaki said. "But at the same time, I am aware that there are voices of concern and that is why we are opening all boxes of U.S. beef to carry out a stricter checking system."