In a historic move for the U.S. hemp industry, 26 delegates representing a range of companies and organizations recently participated in a groundbreaking trade mission to Japan. The group attended the inaugural Tokyo International Hemp Conference, visited the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo for a high-profile meeting, and engaged in the Asia Hemp Entrepreneur Program (AHEP). The mission also included a visit to a revered 8th-generation farm that produces Golden Hemp, a prized natural fiber traditionally used in Shinto temples and Sumo wrestling rituals to purify the ring before combat.
The trade mission was organized by the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC), which received a $750,000 RAPP (Regional Agriculture Promotion Program) grant earlier this year from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The grant supports trade and export initiatives for U.S. hemp businesses and farmers. The NIHC coordinated the delegation of U.S. hemp industry executives and stakeholders to foster collaboration with the growing Japanese hemp market. A delegation from the Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association (TIHTA) played a pivotal role in organizing the tour.
At the Tokyo International Hemp Conference, U.S. companies had the opportunity to showcase their products and engage directly with conference attendees. Patrick Atagi, President and CEO of NIHC, and Morris Beegle, President of WAFBA (We Are For Better Alternatives), participated in an opening day panel discussion on the current regulatory landscape surrounding hemp and cannabis in the United States.
Atagi also addressed an audience at the Royal Thai Embassy, joined by Joe Hickey of the Kentucky Farmers Co-op, Jacob Waddell and Todd Hughes from the Hemp Building Institute, and Bing Bai from Hempwood. The final day of the tour featured participation in the Asia Hemp Entrepreneur Program, with contributions from Atagi, Beegle, Hickey, and Paul Benhaim of The Hemp Plastic Company.
Participating U.S. companies and organizations included NIHC, WAFBA, the U.S. Hemp Building Association, The Hemp Building Institute, Hempwood, Bear Fiber, IND Hemp, KonopiUS, Kentucky Farmers Co-op, FyberX, Bountiful Harvest, AgMarvels, The Hemp Plastic Company, United Natural Hemp Extracts, and the Global Hemp Innovation Center at Oregon State University.
A significant development during the conference was the announcement of the Asia International Hemp Federation, a new partnership between the Japan Industrial Hemp Association (JIHA) and the Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association (TIHTA). This federation aims to enhance Asia’s role in the global hemp industry, aligning it with North American and European markets.
Looking ahead, NIHC plans to participate in several upcoming international trade shows and conferences, including the Andean Hemp and Cannabis Trade Forum in Peru from October 17-19, 2024 and the 3rd Annual Asia International Hemp Expo and Forum from November 27-30, 2024.
For more information about the National Industrial Hemp Council of America and its initiatives, visit their website at nihcoa.com
The mention of companies and other enterprises in news stories and Q&As does not imply an endorsement by Let’s Talk Hemp or any business relationship.
