Japan banned beef imports from Costa Rica after it was learned that frozen ox tongue imported from the country did not meet standards set by both countries, government officials said.
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry enforced the total ban on Monday on imports of any beef shipped from five facilities in Costa Rica, where beef imported to Japan is processed.
Ministry officials said that 1.4 tons of frozen ox tongue imported from Costa Rica failed to meet the import standards agreed on by Japan and Costa Rica. No further details are immediately available.
