U.S. wheat farmers – along with Japanese millers, bakers, noodle makers and other food industry professionals – celebrated 70 years of wheat promotion in Japan. Photo credit: USW.
The U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) each took turns onstage at a reception celebrating the 70th anniversary of U.S. Wheat Associates’ (USW) Tokyo Office.
But it was U.S. wheat farmers – along with Japanese millers, bakers, noodle makers and other food industry professionals – who received most of the attention during the event, which was attended by more than 200 people.
A much smaller ceremony held prior to the reception symbolized the strong personal relationship between U.S. Wheat and Japanese wheat buyers. Representatives from each of the industries in Japan involved in U.S. wheat imports joined USW staff, U.S. wheat farmers and executives from state wheat associations to exchange words of thanks and appreciation.
Emceed by Kazunori “Rick” Nakano, USW country director in Japan, the ceremony featured USW Chairman Jim Pellman and USW President and CEO Mike Spier presenting awards to each industry representative that recognized seven decades of partnership.
Nobuhiro Iijima, Chairman of the Japan Baking Industry Association and President of Yamazaki Baking Co. offered congratulations and thanked USW staff for the long-term partnership.
“Over these 70 years, U.S. Wheat has not only ensured a stable supply of wheat, which is indispensable for the production of a wide variety of flour-based products, but also has worked closely with the Japanese milling and flour user industries,” Iijima said. “Through technical exchanges, crop tours and many other initiatives, U.S. Wheat contributed significantly to the development of Japan’s bread, noodle and confectionery industries, as well as to the enrichment of our diverse food culture.”
Later, at the reception, U.S. Ambassador George Glass lauded the work of U.S. Wheat and its continued role in helping feed the world. Glass was followed by Norikazu Suzuki, minister of MAFF, who highlighted the regular meetings his organization has had with USW staff over the years.
Pellman, a wheat farmer from North Dakota, shared the experience he had last year in Japan after assuming the role of USW chairman.
“Our president and CEO, and our vice president of overseas operations joined me in meeting with your companies and having honest conversations about the challenges of production agriculture, and I appreciated the interest Japanese business leaders had,” Pellman shared with the audience. “Back at home, I’m equally proud to share with my children about how much you value the work we do in North Dakota, and the work of our U.S. Wheat staff to maintain the close connections between farmers like me and you as our customers.”
Pellman concluded his message with a personal note that seemed to touch many in the audience.
“My first grandchild is just starting to learn about the wonders of the world,” he said. “With continued investment, hard work and a little luck, I hope that their future includes the farm. I also hope that they someday have the chance to taste the incredible, high-quality foods you as our Japanese customers produce using the wheat we grow.”
Spier provided a broad overview of the evolution of the USW office in Tokyo, and of how the partnership with Japanese industry has grown.
“It was farmers who laid the foundation for the success we have today in the Japanese market, starting with the very first trade delegation of U.S. wheat farmers to Japan organized by the Oregon Wheat Growers League,” Spier recalled. “While individual projects have shifted over the decades from the Kitchen on Wheels to school lunch programs to today’s focus on quality and food safety, that mission has stayed clear and focused. The success of all these efforts would not happen without the continued support of American wheat farmers, our state wheat organizations and our wonderful partners in the Japanese milling and baking industries.”
Gary Millershaski, USW vice chairman and wheat farmer from Kansas, also took the stage to express gratitude on behalf of farmers from across the United States.
“Overseas market development is just one of the areas supported by our state wheat checkoff dollars, but exports are critical to supporting our bottom lines,” Millershaski said. “The results of that work are evident when I travel to countries like Japan, witness the incredible milling and baking industry here and, most importantly, enjoy the products made with the wheat we have grown. This mutually beneficial success is the daily work of each of our organizations to maintain the close connections between farmers like me and our customers.”
As the reception wound down, USW Vice President of Overseas Operations Brian Liedl gave closing remarks, reminding both U.S. wheat farmers and Japanese customers that it takes both sides to equal success.
“We appreciate that you, as our Japanese partners, come to the United States each year to learn more about how wheat is grown, transported across the country for export, carefully inspected to ensure each load meets Japanese requirements and loaded onto vessels that will travel across the Pacific Ocean to this market,” Liedl said. “I want to extend our sincere appreciation for the last seven decades of work together. We are grateful for the confidence that you have placed in us, and we pledge to remain committed to serving your needs with care, respect and dedication.”
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