By Andi Anderson
Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, has been recognized for his leadership in promoting American agriculture, particularly ethanol exports, during his term from 2022 to 2025.
The Illinois Corn Growers Association (ILCGA) awarded Emanuel the International Leadership Award during its board meeting on June 3–4 in Bloomington, Illinois.
This honor highlights Emanuel’s contribution to advancing U.S.-Japan trade relations in ethanol. In November 2024, Japan announced new ethanol targets—E10 by 2030 and E20 by 2040—which means their gasoline will contain 10% and then 20% ethanol, respectively.
These plans are expected to significantly improve Japan’s environmental and public health conditions and create huge market opportunities for U.S. ethanol producers.
According to ILCGA President Garrett Hawkins, a corn farmer from Waterloo, Illinois, Japan once relied heavily on Brazilian ethanol and allowed only 42% of imported ethanol from the U.S. As of 2024, however, the U.S. holds nearly 100% of the Japanese ethanol market. This change is expected to bring major benefits to American agriculture.
By 2040, U.S. ethanol exports to Japan could rise to 2.2 billion gallons annually. Each year, this could add over 80 million gallons in exports and bring in $150–200 million in new trade value. For Illinois, a top corn-producing state with the world’s largest dry mill ethanol plant, this means more local demand, job creation, and stronger farm income.
Emanuel has deep roots in Illinois public service, having represented parts of Cook and Lake Counties in the U.S. House from 2003 to 2009, and later serving as Mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019.
“This is new corn demand that Illinois farm families desperately need,” said Hawkins. “We are grateful for the leadership of Former Ambassador Emanuel for helping to get us there.”
Photo Credit: illinois-corn-growers-association
Categories: Illinois, Business, Energy, Government & Policy