Japan's Prime Minister comments on 2nd mad cow case  (June 30, 2005) Associated Press by Mari Yamaguchi
TOKYO -- Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was cited as saying Thursday a recent case of mad cow disease detected in a U.S.-born cow will not affect Japan's decision to resume beef imports from the United States, telling reporters that, "I don't think there is any (impact on the decision). Japan is steadfastly working on it."

Senior Japanese officials have said the discovery of a second infected cow is unlikely to affect deliberations on reopening Japan's market to U.S. beef. Health experts, including Japan's food safety regulators, however, have expressed concerns over U.S. safety measures.