Pictured is a grocery store in Japan which sells imported beef. Less than six weeks after lifting a ban on imports of US beef, Japan closed the door again on Friday, saying a recent shipment contained parts of cattle at risk for mad cow disease. (Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

    BEIJING, Jan. 21 -- Less than six weeks after lifting a ban on imports of US beef, Japan closed the door again on Friday, saying a recent shipment contained parts of cattle at risk for mad cow disease.

    Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters on Friday all imports of US beef would be stopped.

    "Because it is extremely important to secure the food safety for the Japanese public. Our agriculture minister said he would ask the Americans for proper measures" Koizumi said.

    Japan had banned US beef in December 2003 after mad cow disease was first discovered in the US herd.

    It recently agreed to allow a resumption of imports, but excluded spines, brains, bone marrow and other parts of cattle thought to be at particularly high risk of containing the disease.

    Japanese Agriculture Ministry inspectors found the material in a recent shipment of beef from Atlantic Veal & Lamb Incorporated.
    
    US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said on Friday the US government was investigating the shipment and added that he ordered several actions to reassure the Japanese.

    "I want to emphasise very, very strongly that we take this matter very seriously and we have already kicked off the process to conduct a very thorough investigation." said Johanns.

    The US Embassy in Tokyo expressed deep regret that the incident had occurred, and said it looked forward to the results of the US Department of Agriculture investigation. 

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)