Recently, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Japan in order to discuss its agricultural trade relationship with the U.S. Vilsack met with Hirotaka Akamatsu, the island nation's minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The two officials discussed Japan's conditions for importing U.S.-produced beef products, an issue that has affected exports in the past.
"The discussion was a useful exchange of respective views," Vilsack said.
Officials from both countries will continue their discussions through a number of meetings. The goal of these meetings will be to establish conditions for beef products that both countries can find acceptable.
The Obama administration recently committed to trying to improve U.S. exports of all types. The president said his goal is to double American exports over the next five years.
Meanwhile, some states are trying their own hand at upping their export output. For example, North Dakota established a model farm in Ukraine in order to showcase the state's agricultural products.
