The measure "would harm our important bilateral trade relationship with Japan on agricultural products," Perdue said in a statement.

"I am concerned that an increase in Japan's tariff on frozen beef imports will impede US beef sales and is likely to increase the United States' overall trade deficit with Japan," the statement also said.

The administration of US President Donald Trump aims to reduce his country's trade deficit.

"I have asked representatives of the Japanese government directly and clearly to make every effort to address these strong concerns," the agriculture secretary also said.

The Trump administration has expressed strong interest in opening Japan's beef market wider. Beef trade is likely to be a major topic at a meeting under the framework of bilateral economic dialogue expected for autumn.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, the country's exports of beef and related products to Japan totaled 1.5 billion dollars last year, making the Asian country the top beef market for the United States. (Jiji Press)