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Rice calls Japan's re-imposition of beef import ban excessive+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)SYDNEY, March 18_(Kyodo) _ U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Saturday that Japan's re-imposition in January of an import ban on beef from U.S. cattle is an excessive reaction, Japanese officials said. Aso and Rice, meanwhile, agreed their countries will continue to work hard in finalizing a plan to realign U.S. forces in Japan by the end of March, said the officials. The two met in Sydney on the sidelines of the first ministerial-level security talks among Japan, the United States and Australia. Japan re-imposed the ban Jan. 20 after the discovery of beef with bone parts banned under agreed export requirements due to the risk of mad cow disease. Japan had removed the ban only in December. |