However, in January imports stopped again because inspectors found banned cattle parts in a veal shipment from the U.S. Japan again halted all imports of US beef in January 2006—just six weeks after the Japanese government began to allow boneless beef from animals younger than 21 months into Japan after a two-year ban—because of bone material found in a shipment of veal from New York State.
[3] In order to protect Japanese consumers from mad cow disease, only meat from cattle that is less than 21 months old is accepted; and spinal cords, vertebrae, brains and bone marrow must be removed.
"This conclusion was made politically and hastily in response to the American demand that we resume beef imports from the United States," said Yasuaki Yamaura to CBS News.
[7] On 17 May 2019, the United States and Japan struck a trade deal to lift the beef import ban, clearing the way for U.S. products to enter the market regardless of age.
U.S. agriculture secretary Sonny Perdue hailed the trade deal, stating "This is great news for American ranchers and exporters who now have full access to the Japanese market for their high-quality, safe, wholesome, and delicious U.S.