More StarLink genetically modified corn has been found in corn imports from the United States through testing of samples taken from cargo ships arriving in Japan between October and December and from feed mills in Japan, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said.
According to the ministry, about 60 percent of the samples contained an average 0.19 percent of StarLink out of the total volume.
The ministry said Friday that it will send two inspectors to the U.S. for 11 days from today to observe U.S. testing for StarLink.
StarLink is banned in Japan for human or animal consumption because a germ-killing substance contained in the grain may cause allergic reactions.
Japan and Washington agreed in December on a testing protocol to prevent StarLink from being included in corn shipments to Japan.
The ministry meanwhile said no traces of StarLink were found in broiler chickens that had been fed the corn to test its safety.
The ministry in November started feeding 128 chicks a 70-percent StarLink feed mix. Checks of the flesh, liver and blood of 52 of the chicks at the end of December showed no trace of StarLink and the chicks' development was normal. The ministry said the test proves chickens are not affected by StarLink.
The ministry is currently conducting similar tests on cows and pigs.
A consumer group opposed to StarLink, however, still contends that the tests to not prove that chickens fed the grain are safe for human consumption.