Wagyu to return to China's dinner tables after 20-year import ban

Foreign ministers to sign agreement paving way for Japan to resume sales

Japanese beef sold at a supermarket in Taipei. Wagyu could become available for consumers in mainland China next year.

MASAYA KATO, Nikkei staff writer

November 22, 2019 02:52 JST

TOKYO -- Japan is set to resume beef exports to China as early as next year as Beijing relaxes its nearly two-decade ban under a new bilateral safety cooperation agreement, Nikkei has learned.

Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi are expected to agree Monday on cooperation on animal health and quarantines, positioned as a prerequisite for beef export resumption. Wang will be visiting Japan for the Group of 20 foreign ministerial meetings in Nagoya on Friday and Saturday.