The proposed regulations include 29 provinces for the import of processed-meat produce, it says.

The regulations apply particularly to processing.

Processed pork from Viet Nam had been banned in Japan because of foot and mouth disease.

But the Viet Nam embassy Commercial Affairs Attache has carefully researched Japan ’s demand for specific pork produce, including sausage and ham, so as to find acceptable produce for the market.

The Trade Office has also worked with Japan ’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to create conditions favourable to an agreement for the import of Viet Nam's processed meat.

Trade Office, Tokyo , representative Nguyen Hoai Son said the chance now existed for Viet Nam ’s processed pork to be sold in Japan – a potential major market.

This would make an important contribution to the increase of Viet Nam ’s export revenue, he said.

Japan imports about 200 million USD worth of processed meat each year. The import duty for ham is 8.5 percent and for sausage 10 percent. Vissan Co and Duc Viet Co are expected to major beneficiaries of the new market.