This week, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is leading a trade mission to Japan to promote the state's quality agricultural products and to pitch Nebraska as a top destination for international investment.

The governor and trade delegation are meeting with government officials, promoting Nebraska beef, pork, ethanol and other agricultural products, and encouraging Japanese businesses to invest in Nebraska. Delegates on the mission include representatives from agricultural businesses, state commodity organizations, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Economic Development.

The agenda includes meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, where Gov. Ricketts will discuss the revised beef safeguard mechanism and the benefits of Nebraska ethanol.

Nebraska is the first state to visit Japan after their legislature approved new beef tariff trigger levels. The new safeguard mechanism will make it less likely that U.S. beef exports will reach levels that trigger higher tariffs, and it provides the state with increased opportunity to meet Japan's growing demand for quality beef.

Nebraska agricultural producers and the NDA are also participating in the U.S. Food Product Showcase, where a variety of Nebraska value-added ag products will be marketed to buyers in the Japanese food industry.

Additionally, Gov. Ricketts and delegation are meeting with representatives from several Japanese companies throughout the week. At the events, the governor will highlight Nebraska's hardworking people, longstanding practices in sustainability, pro-growth climate and central location. 

This is the governor's second trip to Japan in November. Earlier this month, he went on a personal visit to receive the Order of the Rising Sun Award, Gold and Silver Star for his work to strengthen the Nebraska-Japan relationship.  

This is Gov. Ricketts' fourth trade mission to Japan (2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022). Cultivating and maintaining a relationship with Japanese government and businesses has helped grow Nebraska's agricultural footprint. Japan is Nebraska’s largest market for pork and 2^nd largest for beef, the latter of which has seen annual sales to Japan rise by $215 million, an 88% increase since 2015.  

Additionally, Japan is the 3rd largest export market for U.S. corn, and exports in 2021 were up 57.7% versus 2015. Japan is also an emerging market for ethanol, with the Japanese government committing this year to double the blend rate of ethanol in their gasoline.

Nebraska has a vibrant Japanese community, and Japan’s investments in the state are a valued part of our economy.  A full profile of Nebraska's trade relationship with Japan can be found by clicking here.

Source: Office of Gov. Pete Ricketts, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.