From the Journal of Commerce:

U.S. beef exports to Japan could increase 45 percent this year because of a change in Japanese regulations.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare decided on Monday to ease tough import restrictions on beef from the United States, Canada, France and the Netherlands.

The ministry made the decision after getting approval from its Pharmaceutical Affairs and Food Sanitation Council, an advisory panel of experts, on the same day. The decision will take effect on Feb. 1.

More at the JOC