09/13/06 Pick a report

Pick A Report How is U.S. beef being accepted again in Japan? I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back in one minute with some comments. As you probably already know, U.S. beef is again being exported to Japan. But how are Japanese consumers accepting our beef this time around? That question just doesn't seem to have a definite answer. I have read headlines that run from "Japan Shuns Beef" to "First Batch of U.S. Beef to Japan Flies Off the Shelf." The "Japan Shuns Beef" headline was an A/P story that cited a survey conducted by a Japanese media agency that revealed winning back our market share would be difficult. One survey by Japan's largest daily newspaper showed 45% of surveyed consumers did not want to eat the meat and another 43% said they would eat it only after more consideration. That poll came from 3,000 eligible voters of whom only 1,741 gave valid responses. The report I liked better was from freelance writer, Richard Smith, that showed over five tons of U.S. beef was sold out before noon the first day it was presented. Informally questioning Japanese consumers revealed that many were looking forward to U.S. beef again because it was fatter and tasted better. One Japanese lady said most people are ready to eat U.S. beef and will forget about BSE. I hope she is right, I do know Japanese beef eaters do like well finished beef  that was the kind they requested and I helped load on airplanes bound for Japan just a few years ago. I'm Jeff Keane. Capital Press 8/18/06 AgriTimes 8/18/06