Pillen addresses cost concerns in update on Nebraska trade mission to Japan, Philippines

LINCOLN — Amid a phase of budget tightening across Nebraska’s state agencies, Gov. Jim Pillen said an ongoing Asia trade mission will have minimal impact on the state’s finances.

Through a 13-hour time difference, Pillen on Tuesday gave an update to reporters on his final night of a four-day trade mission to Japan and the Philippines before he is scheduled to fly back to Nebraska on Wednesday. The governor began his trip in Osaka on Sunday night, and traveled to Manila Monday night.

During his day in Japan, Pillen said most of the encounters he had were focused on promoting common Nebraska exports to the country such as beef, pork and wheat. In 2025, Japan purchased more than a half-billion dollars of beef and pork products from Nebraska, according to a state press release.

Additionally, Pillen said he promoted Nebraska ethanol, as Japan has launched an initiative to bring E10 fuel — made up of 10% ethanol and 90% regular gasoline — nationwide by 2030.

Nebraska exports, specifically ethanol, were discussed during Pillen’s time in the Philippines as well. DJ Eihusen, CEO of ethanol production company Chief Industries, accompanied Pillen on the trade mission, and noted that the Philippines is currently struggling with high fuel costs and an inflation rate above 6%, which he argued offers an opportunity for ethanol to lower prices.

The Philippines itinerary also emphasized a review of the nation’s history. Pillen said his time in Manila began with a roundtable with new U.S. ambassador Lee Lipton, and included a visit to a cemetery that’s the final resting place for roughly 17,000 American soldiers from World War II. Pillen described the experience as “sobering” and said the grounds were a near “replica” of Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

“I didn’t ever think I’d see anything like Arlington Cemetery in the cemetery here in Manila,” Pillen said.

Pillen was also accompanied by state Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, who is Filipina, and sponsored a bill in 2024 that established a state Commission on Asian American Affairs. She said one of the first goals of the commission was scheduling the current trade mission.

The trip drew some criticism in the wake of Pillen issuing a memo earlier this month calling for a minimum 5% spending cut across all state agencies. Former state Sen. Julie Slama, a vocal Pillen critic, questioned the cost of the trade mission at a time when the governor is asking other state officials to tighten their belts.

“Glad to hear Nebraska’s budget crisis still isn’t interfering with your taxpayer-funded boondoggles to Asia (Gov. Pillen),” Slama wrote in a social media post Monday.

Pillen said representatives of private industries, such as the Nebraska Corn Board, cover most of the expenses incurred within trade missions. The costs paid by the state government are “very minimal,” he said. Pillen did not specify the cost to state government.

“What we’re doing is investing in Nebraska,” Pillen said. “We’re not spending a dollar.”