LDP to send inspection team to U.S. beef processing facilities
February 8, 2006The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will send an inspection team to U.S. beef processing facilities on Thursday after a risky part banned in Japan was discovered last month in a shipment of beef from the United States, LDP Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe said Wednesday. The five-member team, headed by Toshikatsu Matsuoka, former senior vice farm minister, will visit places including Tyson Foods Inc.'s facility in the state of Kansas and will return to Japan on Monday, according to LDP officials.
Taisho Pharmaceutical seeking to buy Zepharma from Astellas
February 8, 2006Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Japan's top-ranked maker of nonprescription drugs, is in talks with Astellas Pharma Inc. to buy its nonprescription drug unit Zepharma Inc., sources familiar with the matter said Thursday. Taisho will soon make a final decision on the issue, the sources said.