PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Japan’s Parliament approved a trade deal with the United States that was agreed to earlier this year by both countries Presidents. South Dakota Corn Grower’s Association Executive Director Lisa Richardson says that’s exciting news for America’s corn growers.

She says it will mean more U.S. ethanol going into Japan duty free.

Richardson says the U.S. Japan deal also equals the playing field for the U.S. with those countries already in the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership.

The U.S. Japan agreement goes into effect Jan. 1.