Soybean Industry Leaders Get Firsthand Look at Japanese Pork Market

Nebraska soybean producers interact with Japanese consumers at an event hosted by dancyu – one of Japan’s leading food magazines

The wide range of pork marketing opportunities available in Japan was on full display for Nebraska soybean industry leaders during a recent industry tour hosted by USMEF. The group’s itinerary began with a briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, where embassy staff provided detailed information on agricultural trade with Japan. This was followed by a U.S. pork promotion at the “Kids’ Jamboree in Marunochi” – which is part of the Tokyo International Forum.

For a firsthand view of how U.S. pork is processed in Japan, the group toured a facility operated by Prima Ham, the country’s third-largest ham and sausage manufacturer and a major importer of U.S. pork.

The group also had an opportunity to visit Tottori Prefecture in southwestern Japan, where they participated in a consumer barbecue event. Upon their return to Tokyo, they took part in a U.S. pork consumer event hosted by dancyu – one of Japan’s leading food magazines.

“The dancyu event was very interesting, because a chef was there to prepare six different dishes using U.S. pork,” said Tony Johanson, a soybean producer from Oakland, Nebraska, who serves on the Nebraska Soybean Board. “It was really great to see how U.S. pork is prepared here and some of the ways it is incorporated into Japanese cuisine.”