Japanese consumers are warming up to U.S. beef.
A new survey by the U.S. Meat Export Federation indicates that, over the past three years, the number of Japanese consumers who feel U.S. beef is once again safe to eat has more than doubled—from 12 percent in 2006 to 30 percent in 2009. And the percentage of those consumers who feel U.S. beef is unsafe has declined from 63 percent in ’06 to 31 percent in ’09, The balance—39 percent—have no firm opinion.
USMEF says it is encouraging news, but access for U.S. beef remains limited in Japan. When asked what would encourage them to buy U.S. beef, the survey participants cited several factors. The top factor: 41 percent indicated that approval of U.S. beef by the Japanese government still is important to them.
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