Governor Jim Pillen concluded a successful trade mission to Japan, which featured meetings with major importers, efforts to promote Nebraska-produced biofuels, and high-level discussions aimed at strengthening the state’s long-established commercial, cultural, and educational connections with Japan.
“Japan is a leading buyer of Nebraska’s value-added agricultural products, and there is significant potential for expanding our trade relationship,” Gov. Pillen stated. “Notably, Nebraska is well-positioned to meet Japan’s growing demand for ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel. Our state produces some of the lowest-carbon corn ethanol worldwide, giving us a strong advantage in the Japanese market.”
On Monday afternoon, Governor Pillen emphasized Nebraska’s biofuel strengths during remarks at a gathering of ethanol buyers in Tokyo. The event, organized by the U.S. Embassy in Japan and the U.S. Grains Council, came at a strategic moment as Japan announced plans in November 2024 to increase ethanol blends in its fuel supply — aiming for 10% ethanol in gasoline by 2030 and 20% by 2040. This represents a major increase from Japan’s current ethanol blend of less than 2%, one of the lowest in developed countries. U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass also addressed the event, highlighting the Midwest’s strong capacity to support Japan’s clean energy initiatives. Presenters included the Nebraska Corn Board and Union Pacific, who showcased Nebraska’s sustainable farming methods and strategic transportation hub, respectively.
Earlier Monday, Gov. Pillen spoke at the Midwest-Japan Association conference, an annual event alternating between the U.S. and Japan, where he highlighted Nebraska’s agricultural and manufacturing strengths as key selling points for Japanese customers and investors.
On the trade mission’s final day, the delegation met with executives from Kawasaki to express appreciation for their investment in Nebraska. Kawasaki has operated a significant manufacturing facility in Lincoln since 1974, producing all-terrain and utility vehicles, recreational watercraft like Jet Skis, and passenger railcars. The company’s facility has expanded to nearly 1.3 million square feet of manufacturing, office, and warehouse space. In 2018, Kawasaki secured a $1.4 billion contract to build 535 next-generation subway cars for New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), with the order increasing to 1,610 railcars valued at $4.5 billion after multiple expansions, the latest in February 2025.
Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy, imported $699 million worth of goods from Nebraska in 2024, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Nebraska established its first international office in Japan, the Nebraska Center Japan, in 2006, which serves as the primary contact point for Japanese companies seeking business opportunities in Nebraska.
