Japan only allows imports of U.S. beef from cattle 20 months old or younger, because mad cow disease has not been detected in meat from young cattle.

In May, the World Organization for Animal Health ruled that the United States was a "controlled risk nation" _ a country that can export beef from cattle of any age. The U.S. has cited that report in urging Japan to review its policy.

During the two-day closed, technical meeting, the U.S. will submit the data it provided to the animal health organization and Japan will examine it, agriculture ministry official Toshio Katagai said.

Japan is also expected to submit an interim report on its own study of mad cow disease detected in cows 21 and 23 months old in the meeting of agriculture officials of both countries, according to Katagai. Japanese foreign ministry and health officials also take part.

"We hope to have an efficient meeting and a substantial exchange of opinions," Takashi Himeda, an agriculture ministry official, was quoted as saying at the start of the meeting by Kyodo News agency.

Source: Houston Chronicle