Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack 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.
Vilsack’s participation in the day-long celebration began with a two-hour charter train ride from Shinjuku train station to Kofu with nearly 100 passengers on board, including an Iowa-Yamanashi sister-state delegation, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos, U.S. trade groups and the media. A "friendship bento" box lunch was served featuring U.S. pork and other food ingredients from both countries to signify the U.S.-Japan agricultural relationship.
Vilsack visited Japan to promote stronger ties between the United States and Japan in the area of agriculture. Upon arrival in Kofu, the Secretary and his delegation were greeted by local school children playing traditional Japanese taiko drums and Yamanashi Governor Shomei Yokouchi and other Prefecture officials. After briefly visiting the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Vilsack, Iowa Governor Bill Northey, U.S. Ambassador Roos and Yamanashi Governor Yokouchi ceremonially planted an oak tree-Iowa’s official state tree-on the Museum’s ground to recognize the longstanding friendship between the two states and countries.
Later that afternoon, Vilsack spoke at the 50th anniversary ceremony and discussed how the 50th Anniversary encapsulates the friendship and mutually beneficial relationship that the United States and Japan have enjoyed over many decades. Festivities also included Vilsack co-presenting an award to the winner of the Yamanashi recipe contest.
Japan is the United States’ third largest export market with sales of more than $11 billion in fiscal year 2009. The top five U.S. agricultural commodities shipped to Japan are coarse grains, red meats, soybeans, feeds and fodders and processed fruits and vegetables.