Following an official agreement reached on December 11, Japan will reopen its market to imports of US beef.

US Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said, "Resuming beef trade with Japan is great news for American producers and Japanese consumers, as well as an important step toward normalised trade based upon scientifically sound, internationally recognised standards."  

Japan imposed an embargo on US beef exports in December 2003, after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was discovered in Washington State, in a cow that had been imported from Canada.

A wave of embargoes following the BSE discovery dealt a severe blow to the US beef industry. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), with Japan's decision to reopen its markets, a total of 67 countries now permit imports of US beef and beef products. In 2003 it exported to 119 countries.