The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently hosted a delegation of reporters from major Japanese news outlets on a comprehensive tour of the U.S. ethanol industry. This visit comes at a crucial time, following Japan's announcement of plans to implement 10 percent ethanol blending (E10) by 2030 and E20 by 2024.
The journalists' itinerary included stops in Illinois and Washington, D.C., where they engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders including university professors, corn farmers, ethanol producers, and policymakers. The tour provided insights into ethanol production, distribution, and its environmental benefits, particularly its role in mitigating global warming.
Tommy Hamamoto, USGC Director in Japan, emphasized the importance of this media outreach in supporting Japan's new ethanol policy. "Through the media team visits, the reporters are expected to understand what ethanol is, its benefits and the future potential of it as a green energy source," Hamamoto stated.
In Washington, D.C., the group participated in discussions with industry associations and Congressional staff, exploring current U.S. ethanol policies and potential avenues for strengthening trade relationships between the U.S. and Japan in the ethanol sector.
This initiative by the USGC aims to bolster understanding and support for ethanol in Japan, potentially paving the way for increased U.S. ethanol exports to meet Japan's ambitious biofuel targets. The visiting journalists are expected to apply their newfound knowledge in future articles, highlighting the role of U.S. ethanol in achieving a carbon-neutral, sustainable environment through gasoline blending in Japan.
