The beef trade between Australia and Japan is not well understood in Australia. Access to the Japanese beef market depends more on administrative and political decisions than on market forces. The politics of beef in Japan are briefly outlined. Food self-sufficiency and agricultural protectionism in Japan are discussed in relation to Japanese beef policies. The activities of the major institutions concerned with administering beef policy in Japan are considered with particular emphasis on the Livestock Industry Promotion Corporation. The history of both the beef tariff and beef import quotas are also sketched. Many significant conclusions are reached regarding the future of the Japanese beef market.