Korean nukes and Japan beef ban engage Rice

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.

Rice, due in Tokyo tonight as part of an Asian tour, was scheduled to give a policy speech tomorrow and meet Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other leaders before heading to South Korea in the afternoon.