Americans may not have much appreciation for U.S. farmers, but it looks like the Japanese sure do.

On a trade mission to Japan this week, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius reported that Japanese businesses and consumers are clamoring for the return of American beef to their country. Japan banned the importation of U.S. beef after the discovery last December of a single case of mad cow disease in a cow in Washington state. Now, businesses and consumers are pressing the Japanese government to lift the ban so they can bring American beef back to their dinner tables.

An end to the ban, of course, would be a huge boon to Kansas beef producers. Japan was the state’s second largest trading partner last year and imported $175 million worth of beef. The Japanese people prefer the cuts and flavor of American beef over what is imported from Australia or raised in Japan.

The ban could be lifted soon, Sebelius said, perhaps even before the Nov. 2 U.S. elections. That’s good economic news for Kansas farmers, who have reason to be proud of the global demand they’ve created for Kansas beef.