TOKYO (AP) - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Thursday denied that Japan is dragging its feet on a decision to lift its ban on U.S. beef imports, amid mounting pressure from Washington for Tokyo to move faster.
U.S. lawmakers have warned of possible sanctions in retaliation against Tokyo's 15-month ban, imposed over mad cow disease fears. U.S. President George W. Bush telephoned Koizumi last week to ask him to expedite a resumption of imports, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was due in Tokyo this week to apply more pressure.