Optimism Prevails in Tokyo

U.S. and Japanese officials are optimistic that lingering disputes over U.S. BSE prevention efforts can be resolved by the end of the summer.

Chikao Kawai, chief economic official at the Japanese embassy, said he is confident the two countries can reach an agreement quickly and amicably.

The point of contention has centered around the scope of BSE testing. Japan has previously stated in will resume American beef imports only after the U.S. begins testing all cattle for BSE. However, the U.S. has maintained this is unnecessary and expensive. The two countries began the first round of bilateral talks this week in Tokyo to resolve the issue.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at May 21, 2004 09:48 AM | TrackBack