The "U.S. Meat Export Federation" has some heavy advertising positioned aboard Tokyo's subways trying to reassure Japanese consumers about the safety of U.S. meat products, particularly beef. Many Japanese have shunned U.S. beef, fearing Mad Cow contamination. Ubiquitous rice bowl chain Yoshinoya has bravely started serving U.S. beef in some of their menu items. There is at least one major advantage: it's cheaper.
You can visit www.americanmeat.jp to learn more (in Japanese).
The Japanese government insists on testing and certifying U.S. beef in comprehensive ways that U.S. consumers don't enjoy. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture sued one beef producer, Creekstone Farms, to stop its testing of 100% of its beef for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Consumer advocates (and plenty of U.S. consumers) are outraged, of course, that USDA (i.e. the U.S. government) would interfere with a free enterprise that is trying to improve and promote higher product quality and safety.
