Japan is considering increasing U.S. corn imports

The Japanese government is considering increasing imports of U.S.-grown corn as a possible bargaining chip in upcoming tariff negotiations with the United States. The Japanese government expects the corn to be used in the next generation of sustainable aviation fuel and livestock feed, multiple government sources said. Japanese Minister of Economy and Regeneration Ryosho Akasawa will visit the United States from 30 to May 2 this month to hold ministerial-level talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Ryoshimoto Bessant and others. Tariff negotiations are expected to be in full swing at these meetings. The United States is Japan's largest corn supplier. In 2024, Japan imported about 11.50 million tons of corn (worth about 459 billion yen) from the United States. Corn for livestock feed is not subject to tariffs. (Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan)