Japan plans to relax restrictions on US beef

Japan will ease restrictions on U.S. beef imports next month, boosting supplies to restaurant chains such as Yoshinoya Holdings Co. (9861), after food safety authorities said the change wouldn’t increase health risks.

“We will implement the relaxation as early as Feb. 1” after explaining the decision to the public, Health Minister Norihisa Tamura told reporters in Tokyo today. The Food Safety Commission recommended the change in October.