Japan's government says it will buy back many tons of beef containing unsafe levels of radioactive cesium resulting from leaks at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

Agriculture Minister Michihiko Kano announced the plan Tuesday, saying the costs will be passed along to the plant's operator, the Tokyo Electric Power Company.

Japanese national broadcaster NHK says almost 3,000 head of cattle have been shipped to all parts of the country after eating rice straw contaminated with radioactive fallout. NHK said beef with cesium levels exceeding government standards has been found in six of the country's prefectures.

Kano also said the government will provide subsidies to affected cattle farmers amounting to about $640 for every head of cattle that is held back from market.

TEPCO officials have been struggling since early March to halt radiation leaks from the Fukushima plant. Three of its six reactors melted down after a March 11 earthquake and tsunami knocked out cooling systems at the plant.