Hanamasa Co. began selling Canadian beef Tuesday at its nine outlets in Tokyo and one in Kawasaki.

According to the wholesaler, it is the first firm in the Tokyo metropolitan area to resume selling North American beef, after the government partially lifted its ban on the importation of Canadian and U.S. beef earlier this month.

Hanamasa President Hiroshi Ono said he was confident Canadian beef is safe and it is up to customers to decide whether to buy it.