Internet reports that the Japanese government is considering increasing imports of U.S. corn as a possible bargaining chip in upcoming tariff negotiations with the United States. Several government sources revealed that the Japanese government expects this corn to be used in the next generation of sustainable aviation fuel and livestock feed. Japan's Minister of Economic Regeneration Ryoshi Akasawa will visit the United States from the 30th to May 2 of this month to hold ministerial-level talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Basent and others. Tariff negotiations are expected to be fully launched at these meetings. The United States is Japan's largest supplier of corn. In 2024, Japan imported approximately 11.5 million tons of corn (worth approximately 459 billion yen) from the United States. There is no tariff on corn for livestock feed. (Japan Yomiuri Shimbun)