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Secretary Vilsack Trip to Japan, April 2010

Vilsack Commemorates 50th Anniversary of 'Hog Lift' at Events in Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today helped commemorate the 50th anniversary of a 1959 "hog lift" in which Iowa farmers sent 36 hogs to Yamanashi Prefecture after Japan suffered major livestock losses caused by two destructive typhoons. Three years later, the original 36 hogs had multiplied to more than 500. (04/08/10)

Statement of Secretary Tom Vilsack on Meeting with Japanese Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu "Today, Minister Akamatsu and I had the opportunity to discuss many aspects of the U.S. – Japan bilateral trading relationship in agriculture. Among other topics, we addressed the issue of Japan's import conditions for U.S. beef and beef products. The discussion was a useful exchange of respective views." (04/08/10)

Vilsack Addresses Partners in Agriculture Global Food Security Symposium in Japan
"In the coming years and decades we must give the world’s poor a reason for hope by tackling food security with a renewed commitment to agricultural development. The world’s economic and political stability, and the prosperity of our two nations, depends on how well we meet this challenge."
(04/07/10)

Vilsack to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports While on Trip to Japan (03/16/10)
Discussions to Focus on Expanding Agricultural Trade and Food Security 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is visiting Japan April 5 through 9 to promote U.S. agricultural exports, as part of President Obama’s efforts to expand U.S. exports. While in Japan, Vilsack met with Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Hirotaka Akamatsu, as well as U.S. exporters and Japanese importers.

In addition to giving a keynote address on April 7 at a Global Food Security Symposium sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, Vilsack met with students at the University of Tokyo in a Town Hall meeting. He will give a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club on April 9.

On April 8, Vilsack traveled by train to Yamanashi to help commemorate the 50^th anniversary of a 1959 ‘hog lift’ when Iowa farmers sent 36 hogs to Yamanashi after Japan suffered major livestock losses caused by two typhoons. Three years later, the original 36 hogs had multiplied to more than 500. Iowa and Yamanashi established a sister-state relationship after the ‘hog lift.’ A delegation from Iowa accompanied Vilsack to Yamanashi.

— USDA Works To Open Asian Markets For U.S. Farmers (USDA Video; April 2010)

— Vilsack's Japan Trip Will Include Beef Discussions (USDA Radio News; 04/02/10 - wma, real, mp3)

— Vilsack to Travel to Japan April 5-9 (USDA Radio News; 03/31/10 - wma, real, mp3)

— Vilsack to Visit Japan in April (USDA Radio News; 03/16/10 - wma, real, mp3)

	Partners in Agriculture Web Site Launched To Showcase Trade With Japan — Launch of Partners in Agriculture with Ambassador Roos (.pdf;03/26/10) — FOODEX JAPAN 2010 (.pdf;03/29/10)
	Flowering Cherry Trees – A Gift from Japan (.pdf; 03/30/10)
	History of U.S. Cotton in Japan (.pdf; 04/02/10)
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