Celebrating 70 Years of Partnership Between U.S. Soy and Japan

TOKYO — The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) recently hosted a milestone ceremony in Tokyo to commemorate the 70-year partnership between U.S. Soy and Japan. Titled "U.S. Soy and Japan: 70 Years of Partnership and Progress," the event honored the solid relationship between the two nations that has supported Japan's tofu, natto, and soy food industries for seven decades. The ceremony brought together executives from the Japan Tofu Association and the Japan Natto Cooperative Society Federation, soy food manufacturers, technical experts, the vegetable oil industry, and U.S. soybean farmers. The program included keynote speeches, industry discussions, and a session focused on sustainability, where common priorities in responsible sourcing, innovation, and long-term supply chain resilience were discussed. Over the past 70 years, U.S. Soy and Japan have built a relationship underpinned by reliability, quality, and mutual respect. Japan relies on imports for approximately 93% of the soybeans it consumes, with U.S. whole soybeans stably supplying about 70% of that total, a testament to the Japanese market's deep trust in U.S. Soy. Trade momentum continues to strengthen. Total commitments for U.S. soybeans to Japan for the current crop year have increased by 8%, and commitments for soybean meal have surged by 125% (an increase of 214,000 metric tons). According to import data from January to March 2026, imports of U.S. soybean meal increased by 44% year-on-year, with the U.S. share expanding from 16% to 30%. "The Japanese tofu and natto industry demands a very high standard of quality, and U.S. soybean farmers have worked hard for many years to support these standards," said Jim Sutter, CEO of USSEC. "We are deeply grateful for the long-standing support of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and our recent collaboration during the Agricultural Trade Mission to Japan. Cooperation with the agency has contributed significantly to strengthening engagement and building market trust. The signing of this MOU reaffirms our solid relationship based on reliability, transparency, and continuous improvement." As part of this commemorative project, USSEC signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Japan Tofu Association and the Japan Natto Cooperative Society Federation. These agreements reaffirm the close relationship between U.S. Soy and the Japanese soy food industry, outlining paths for deeper cooperation in areas such as the utilization of food-grade soybeans, technical cooperation, supply chain transparency, and sustainability verification through U.S. Soy programs. The Japanese natto market continues to show strong growth. Soybean usage for natto has increased by 66% over the past decade and is growing at an average monthly rate of 6% in 2026. "Japan is one of the most valuable and future-oriented partners for U.S. Soy," said Carlos Salinas, USSEC Regional Director for Northeast Asia. "We sincerely thank the U.S. Agricultural Trade Office in Tokyo and the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service for their tremendous cooperation in the signing of these MOUs and related promotional activities. This commemorative project was an opportunity not only to look back on the past but also to confirm our shared commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability for the future." U.S. soybean farmers continue to lead the world in practicing climate-smart agriculture that improves productivity while reducing environmental impact. Initiatives such as the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) and the "Sustainable U.S. Soy (SUSS)" label provide verified sustainability, responding to Japan's growing interest in responsible sourcing, transparency, and corporate ESG commitments. These efforts support Japanese soy food manufacturers who prioritize traceability, environmental stewardship, and long-term supply chain resilience. The Japanese soy food market is one of the most sophisticated and quality-oriented in the world. Consumption of tofu, natto, soy milk beverages, and other soy-based foods continues to evolve alongside growing interest in health, nutrition, and plant-based diets. Furthermore, the rising global reputation of Japanese cuisine is boosting the market for premium soy ingredients. The consistent quality, traceability, and stable supply chain of U.S. Soy are the reasons why it is the partner of choice for Japanese manufacturers. Long-term demand is expected to remain stable through 2030, and given the strong consumer interest in high-value-added soy foods, there remains significant room for further collaboration in technical and sustainability aspects. In the next chapter of our bilateral cooperation, we will focus on promoting sustainability, strengthening technical exchange, and ensuring the reliability of the long-term supply chain for Japan's tofu, natto, and soy food industries.