Japanese consumers spurn US beef

Asahi Shimbun, Japan’s leading newspaper, asked its readers for their opinion of the negotiations to resume U.S. beef imports. In a report published June 29, consumers were overwhelmingly in favor of their government’s restrictive stance.

Repudiating the American position, 75% said either trade resumption should happen only with the most severe restrictions or they no longer needed U.S. beef in their diet. Slightly more than 13% expressed an opinion favorable to the U.S. beef interests. 1344 people responded to the survey.

With no pressure coming from their constituents, Japanese negotiators will undoubtedly continue to “hang tough” in their demands for what the general population sees as reasonable restrictions on trade resumption. With the recent mad cow incident fueling the fire, it could mean protracted negotiations.

The survey results:
8.0% - Government should negotiate with U.S. to resume trade immediately.
5.4% - Accept 30 month rule as USA wants.
11.5% - Resume trade with 20 month rule as Government says.
40.4% - Trade only with severe regulations, including 100% testing.
34.6% - I don't need US beef anymore.