TOKYO -- Japanese imports of beef are nearing the point of triggering an automatic tariff increase, sparking official unease here over upcoming trade negotiations with the U.S.
Frozen-beef imports rose almost 80% on the year this January in recently released Ministry of Finance data. The surge is attributed mainly to a roughly 80% surge in purchases from Canada, New Zealand and two other members of the 11-country Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP-11, which lowered certain beef tariffs to 27.5% from 38.5% when it took effect in December. The U.S. is not part of the trade deal.
