Japan should have more thoroughly inspected US cattle facilities before easing a ban on American beef last month, Japan’s agriculture minister said today.

The standoff over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and Japan’s enduring ban on US beef imports were at the top of the agenda as US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice headed to Japan today.

Japan could make young American cattle exempt from its requirement that all imported livestock be tested for mad cow disease before shipping, under a new proposal today that might lead to an easing of Tokyo’s total ban on US beef.

Japan confirmed its 14th case of mad cow disease today, underscoring concerns about the fatal brain-wasting illness as Tokyo considers relaxing cattle-testing standards that could allow a resumption of US beef imports.