USA Rice Meets with Ag Secretary Perdue in Japan

TOKYO, JAPAN – Earlier this week, the USA Rice representative in Japan, Yumi Kojima, and Steve Vargas of Sun Valley Rice, who serves as vice-chair of the USA Rice International Promotion Committee, had the opportunity to meet with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue at a reception here honoring the U.S Agriculture Hall of Fame (HOF) at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence.  The HOF, begun in 2011, honors those Japanese companies that have been stalwart supporters of U.S. agriculture and food throughout the years.  

“The Secretary’s schedule left little time to discuss in-depth issues related to trade and promotions programs in Japan,” said Sarah Moran, USA Rice vice president international.  “But Yumi and Steve did get a chance to thank Perdue for his department’s support for U.S. rice interests in Japan and elsewhere.  They also met briefly with U.S. Ambassador William Hagerty and gave credit to the Embassy’s Agricultural Affairs and Agricultural Trade Offices for their support for USA Rice promotions programs and trade interests in Japan.”

Japan is the second largest export market in terms of value, surpassed only by Mexico.  Japan imported 274,000 MT of U.S. rice in 2018 valued at $232 million.