Japanese Consumers Unsure About U.S. Beef

Over the weekend Japan and the U.S. agreed on a framework to resume two-way beef trade between the two countries. And one of the greatest obstacles both the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association recognize is the ability to rebuild the safety of U.S. beef in Japan.

According to a survey conducted by the Asashi Shimbun newspaper, more than six out of 10 Japanese consumers said they would still avoid U.S. beef when imports are resumed.

Of the 1,832 people surveyed, 63% don't want to eat U.S. beef and 63% opposed the Japanese government's decision to lift the ban. Women are the most wary of eating American beef with 76% saying that don't want to eat it, while 16% say they do. Among men, 48% don't want it, compared with 41% who do.