"Only the framework has been established (on Saturday) and we cannot make any forecast on how this will develop, but both the United States and Japan are eager to resolve the situation," Vice Agriculture Minister Mamoru Ishihara told reporters.

The working group will be composed of experts and working-level government officials of both countries and meetings will be held at least once a month.

Ishihara said Japan's position of requiring checks for all slaughtered cattle for BSE had not changed.

"It is important not to harm the faith of consumers," he said. "We have no intention of altering our current policy.

Ishihara reiterated that Japan would continue to demand that all imported U.S. meat go through the same procedures as domestic beef.

Japan, formerly the top foreign buyer of U.S. beef, suspended imports after the outbreak of mad cow disease in Washington state in late December.

Japan has had several cases of the brain-wasting disease, formally known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). It tests all cattle destined for market.

Washington has rejected Tokyo's demand that all cattle be tested, saying there was no scientific justification for such a costly measure.