Illinois corn farmers recently took part in a series of high-level conversations in Tokyo focused on U.S. corn and corn ethanol production, highlighting how on-farm conservation and efficiency support Japan’s long-term clean fuel goals.
The
U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council (USGBC) hosted a conference for representatives from Japanese government, industry, and media, where Illinois farmer and
IL Corn Marketing Board Director Matt Raben and fellow farmer Shane Gray shared how they manage their operations to improve efficiency while producing high-quality, high-yielding corn. Their presentations focused on practical conservation practices, responsible input use, and continuous improvement on the farm.
Additional presentations from U.S. ethanol and biofuels experts explored carbon intensity modeling and ongoing efficiency gains at ethanol plants, helping connect on-farm practices to downstream fuel production.
USGBC also partnered with
Nikkei Inc., one of the world’s most respected business news organizations, to host a separate conference that emphasized the human side of agriculture. During that event, Raben and Gray shared their family farming stories, discussed conservation efforts, and underscored the importance of the long-standing trade relationship between the United States and Japan. The conference included perspectives from Japanese industry leaders, academics, and regulators, with discussion centered on Japan’s clean fuel roadmap, including plans to adopt E10 by 2030 and E20 by 2040.
The visit concluded with meetings at a Japanese fuel distributor leading ethanol blending efforts and a tour of a new gas station offering E7, which has been well received by customers.
“Building trust starts with showing up and being transparent about how we farm,” says Raben. “Japan is one of our most important markets, and these conversations help demonstrate that Illinois farmers are committed to continuous improvement, conservation, and producing corn that supports their long-term energy and environmental goals.”
Engagements like these and ongoing collaboration with international partners remain a priority as Illinois corn farmers continue investing in relationships that strengthen demand and create opportunities in key global markets like Japan.
