The first shipment of U.S beef in nearly two years arrives in Japan Friday after the easing of an import ban put in place amid concerns of mad cow disease.

Meanwhile, an agricultural organization says Japanese beef exports to the U.S. would resume shortly. Japanese beef was also banned four years ago over the same concerns.

Inspectors plan to check shipments of about 4.6 tons of meat to ensure it meets government safety guidelines by confirming the age of the cows and making sure it does not contain material from brain, spinal cords or other suspect parts.

Japan implemented the ban on American beef in December 2003 after the first case of mad cow was reported in the U.S.