Condoleezza Rice

Rice said Japan should at least accelerate the process for lifting the ban, noting that the dispute is starting to damage Japan-U.S. relations, according to a Japanese official who briefed the media.

Japan introduced the ban in December 2003 following the first case of mad cow disease in the United States.

Machimura, meanwhile, said political pressure on the government's food safety panel won't help bring about an early resumption of imports but may negatively affect U.S. beef consumption in Japan after the imports are resumed, the official said.

Rice's remarks came amid growing pressure from U.S. lawmakers from farming states who have threatened to retaliate if Japan does not provide a timetable for lifting the 15-month ban.

The Japan Times Weekly: March 26, 2005
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