March 23 - Recently I met a remarkable group of farmers at a reception to honor the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council. This council was established in 1951 to provide young Japanese farmers the opportunity to live and work alongside American farmers. This program helps young Japanese farmers learn about agricultural techniques in the United States and bolsters mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. Over the past 58 years over 12,000 young Japanese farmers have lived in the United States for periods of up to two years on this program. Among the returnees from this program are Social Democratic Party Secretary General Yasumasa Shigeno and Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima.

One Japanese alum of this program told me that his experience in the United States had given him a more international mindset. Another enjoyed his experience so much that he began hosting foreigners to live and work on his farm in Saitama Prefecture. Still a third told me he discovered that Japanese and American farmers share something in common - they both take pride in providing safe and delicious food products to the world's consumers.

Also attending the reception was a delegation of Nebraska farmers and ranchers. I found them to be very sophisticated about Japan. One of them had already been to Japan several times for consultations with importers of American meat products. Another was visiting Japan for the first time, but he said that he frequently visits the U.S. Department of Agriculture website to read reports about Japanese production and demand for feed grains in markets like Japan. He told me that Japanese livestock producers are among the best customers for feed grains such as Nebraska corn.

I was glad to learn about this grassroots exchange program that has helped improve mutual understanding between the United States and Japan, and I hope that young Japanese farmers will continue to take advantage of this opportunity.

Until next time,

Jim